Baukastenkonzepte für die Mikroverfahrenstechnik: Das FAMOS-System

The question is raised as to whether the modular concept for micro process engineering is an academic exercise or a necessary development. The discussion covers the FAMOS concept; as many modular units as necessary, not as many as possible; the function optimized reaction module; functional tempering; and construction of the FAMOS modular construction units. In past years, micro-fluidics were studied but now the variegated use micro-reaction systems that are demanded by potential users are studied. Therefore, the "modular building block" concept in micro process engineering is an intensively discussed approach. The concept of "modular building blocks" is thus uppermost in the efforts to increase modularity and flexibility by the use of suitable technical concepts in micro process engineered constructions. Modular concepts have been developed by the Institut für Mikroverfahrenstechnik IMVT of the Karlsruhe Research Center, by Ehrfeld Mickrotechnik AG, and the BMBF "Micro ChemTec" project. The Fraunhofer-Allianz "Modulares Mikroreaktionssystem FAMOS" is a collaboration of six Fraunhofer institutes applying a solution approach. A modular and flexible construction of micro process engineered processes, the exchangeability of individual modules, a unitary method of construction, and the simple upgrading by additional modules are central advantages of a modular construction concept for micro process engineering. Modularity with perception is determining in the FAMOS concept. Unit operations such as mixing and heat exchange are integrated in the functional micro reaction module. The FAMOS construction units are described in detail.