Microreactor fluid dynamics

Abstract

Micro-reactors offer a whole series of advantages such as high surface to volume ratios and low Reynolds number (laminar flow). They have been used to develop new pharmaceutical and fine chemical routes, as a tool to organic synthesis and intensive chemical processes. Polymerization reactions concern high heat quantities and so it is an excellent example of media that can be used in microreactors. Other works point out that narrow molecular distribution can be obtained as well. Besides, microfluidics can provide fine control over particle shape, size, chemical anisotropy, porosity, and core/shell structure of polymeric particlesThe objective of the present work is to use a microreactor that can produce polymeric material with special properties. The understanding of fluid dynamics will be made through two modeling and simulation studies. First, a CFD tool, the commercial software Phoenics, will be used. Then, it may be used a stochastic model, which can explain fluid dynamics of multiphase flows. (AU)