Microreactors
Generally can micro reactors be characterised as reactors with extremely small dimensions (inner dimensions smaller than 1mm). They fulfil tasks like mixing, dispersing, gasing, precipitating, heat transfer and play an increasing role in process engineering. Their advantages are the increase of output and the selectivity of reactions by a more efficient heat exchange and mass transport.
In the examined micro reactor two non-mixable fluids are combined with the objective to generate a maximum interface of the two involved substances for the reactions. The channel geometry needs to be optimised to obtain a segmented flow with the maximum phase interface between the components independent of the flow rate.
Method - A two-phase-system of the flow describes the non-mixable components is used. The interface is simulated as a free surface in the flow model. Furthermore, the interfacial surface tension and the wetting of the channel surface play an important role in microstructures and are, therefore, considered in the model.
As a result the simulation show the phase distribution and the segmented flow in closed correlation with experimental results. The phase interface can be analysed quantitatively and can be compared for different geometries and boundary conditions. It is an important optimisation criterion for further simulation-based parameter studies.
