The development of a multistage centrifugal pump for use in flow chemistry

Abstract

Flow chemistry is an emerging approach to chemical synthesis in which chemical processes are performed on reactants as they continuously flow through reactors. In order to drive such flows, low flow rate, high pressure pumps are used. The standard pump in use is the displacement pump. However, it tends to be expensive and produces a discontinuous flow. The goal of this investigation is to prototype a miniature multistage centrifugal pump and assess whether or not such pumps can perform in flow chemistry applications in the place of displacement pumps. This thesis explores the design features implemented in the development of this pump and how they contributed to its performance as pertaining to use in flow chemistry. Specifically, the pump was designed to be comprised of modularly stackable pump stages and to be thermochemically stable, operating without the use of dynamic seals. Ultimately, the device designed succeeded in being modularly stackable and in operating without dynamic seals. However, the target pressure rise per stage was not fully met. Moreover, testing of the pump revealed a high sensitivity in flow rate to changes in generated pressure head. Thus, it is not yet deemed a viable alternative to the current standard of displacement pumps.