Development of a novel compact chemical reactor-heat exchanger

Four commercial designs of compact heat exchangers (CHEs) were characterised as reactors in terms of their micro mixing and heat transfer performances. Despite not being designed specifically as reactors, reactive mixing tests demonstrated that byproduct formation can be reduced significantly through effective heat removal. Subsequently, a novel diffusion bonded CHE, know as a Marbond(TM),;was designed specifically as a chemical reactor-heat exchanger. Results of reactive mixing experiments in the Marbond(TM) are presented and interpreted by using a mathematical model of exothermic reacting flows. Predictions are made concerning reductions in byproduct formation when a Marbond(TM)) is applied to an industrial process.