Mixing and Reaction in Microchannels: Competitive Reactions

This lecture discusses the principles of mixing and reaction in microchannels, focusing on parallel competitive reactions. It begins with an overview of mixing mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of mixing quality on product selectivity. The instructor explains how full segregation can lead to local excesses of reactants, affecting conversion rates and selectivity. The Villermaux-Dushman reaction is introduced as a case study, illustrating the impact of mixing on by-product formation. The lecture further explores the kinetics of neutralization and ester hydrolysis, highlighting the significance of mixing time in determining reaction outcomes. Experimental setups for measuring mixing efficiency are described, including the use of spectrophotometry to analyze product concentrations. The IEM mixing model is presented, detailing how mixing time and reaction kinetics interact. The lecture concludes with practical considerations for optimizing mixing in microreactors, emphasizing the need for careful selection of reagent concentrations to achieve meaningful results in experimental setups.