Mass transfer characteristics of ozonolysis in microreactors and advanced-flow reactors

Abstract

Ozonolysis of alkenes in liquid phase is conducted from micro scales to milli scales using a multichannel microreactor, a Corning low-flow reactor (LFR), and a Corning advanced-flow reactor (AFR). For the mass transfer limited test case of ozonolysis of 1-decene, maximum conversions that depend on the ozone availability in the gas phase are achieved regardless of the operating conditions, proving an excellent mass transfer in all three reactors. Ozonolysis of Sudan Red 7B dye provides visualization of the completion of the reaction in the glass-made AFR and LFR. Overall mass transfer coefficients are estimated to be on the order of 1/s in both the LFR and AFR, increasing with both liquid and gas flow rates. These values are within the same range observed in microchannels and one order of magnitude larger than in other conventional contactors.