P. 58-62 /

Flow photo chemistry: A meso-scale reactor for industrial applications

corresponding

SÉBASTIEN ELGUE1,2,3*, TRISTAN AILLET2,3, KARINE LOUBIERE2,3, ANNELYSE CONTÉ1, ODILE DECHY-CABARET2,4, LAURENT PRAT2,3, CLEMENS R. HORN5, OLIVIER LOBET5, SOPHIE VALLON5
* Corresponding author
1. MEPI – Plate-forme SAFRAN-HERAKLES, Chemin de la Loge, CS 27813, 31078 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
2. Université de Toulouse; INPT, ENSIACET, F-31432 Toulouse, France
3. CNRS, Laboratoire de Génie Chimique (LGC UMR 5503); 4 allée Emile Monso, BP 84234, F-31432 Toulouse, France
4. CNRS, Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination (LCC UPR 8241), 205 route de Narbonne, BP 44099, F-31077 Toulouse, France
5. Corning S.A.S., Corning European Technology Center, 7 bis avenue de Valvins, CS 70156 Samois sur Seine, 77 215 Avon Cedex, France

Abstract

Developing flow photochemistry, especially at meso-scale where significant productivity is required, remains challenging. There is a need for innovative equipments generating highly controlled flow under light irradiation. In this work, a commercial solution, developed by Corning, is presented and studied by LGC and MEPI on an intramolecular (2+2) photo-cycloaddition. Detailed experimental and modelling analysis has been performed to emphasize the flow reactor behaviour and performances, and demonstrate its capability in producing up to 30g.h-1 of the desired molecule. Through this simple model reaction, the G1 photo-reactor is shown to be an efficient meso-scale reactor for industrial photo-applications development and production.


 

 Introduction

Since the last decade, Process Intensification opens up interesting perspectives for the Fine Chemical and Pharmaceutical industries. A wide range of chemistries has been investigated through the use of flow reactors showing the advantages and the improvements related to such technologies, with regards to quality, safety, competitiveness and eco-impact. In this way, various equipments based on the tubular or the heat-exchanger concepts have been developed. All these equipments benefit from miniaturization techniques and micro (or milli)-fluidics t ... ...