Chemical reactors Spinning disc

Ramshaw, C. (2004) The spinning disc reactor, in Re-Engineering the Chemical Processing Plant Process Intensification (eds A. Stankiewicz and J.A. Moulijn), Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, pp. 69-119. 

Dalglish, J., Jachuck, R.J., and Ramshaw, C. (1999) Photo-initiated polymerization using spinning disc reactor, in Process Intensification for the Chemical Industry (ed. A. Green), Professional Engineering Publishing, Ltd, Bury St. Edmunds, pp. 209-215. 

Vicevic M, Jachuck RJ, Scott K. Process intensification for green chemistry rearrangement of ci-pinene oxide using a catalyzed spinning disc reactor. 4th International Conference on Process Intensification for the Chemical Industry, Brugge, Belgium, Sept. 10, 2001. 

Process intensification (PI) offers several opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact [92]. Many chemical reactions currently carried out as batch processes in stirred tanks could be carried out in continuously operated, intensified reactors such as spinning disc or oscillatory baffle types. The plant used for separations can be made highly compact, and even for large-scale plants (nitric acid production) the concept of pocket-sized plant has been introduced to reduce energy needs in the process [93]. PI is thus a key element... 

In order to improve the heat transfer in a reactor, use can be made of gravitational forces. This concept is used in the spinning disc reactor (SDR) as developed at Newcastle University. The reaction mixture flows in a thin layer in axial direction over a rotating disc. A typical heat transfer coefficient is 10 kW/m2K. This reactor however is dedicated for liquid-liquid reactions. Especially condensation reactions can be enhanced by removing the gaseous by-products thus shifting the chemical equilibrium to the right. 

The apphcations of PI in the chemical process sector encompass bulk and fine chemicals and a range of unit operations. Dominant are high gravity systems (HiGee and spinning disc reactors) and micro or HEX-reactors. In many cases the examples are one-offs , but the replication is bound to increase in future years as environmental and production demands grow. 

Performance of immobilised catalysts in a continuous spinning disc reactor. Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 133, pp. 43-57. 

Boodhoo, K.V.K. 1999. Spinning Disc Reactor for Polymerization of Styrene. Chemical and Process Engineering. Newcastle upon Tyne, University of Newcastie, Buback, M.E.A., 1995. Critically Evaluated Rate Coefficients for Free-radical Polymerization. I Propagation Rate Coefficient for Styrene. Macromol. Chem. Phys. 196 3267-3280. 

Armed with the PFS and the questions for the various process options the team can then discuss the most appropriate way forward. For example considering question 2, production staff may comment that this particular plant only runs on the day shift, so a 10-hour reaction is not viable the chemical engineer may conclude that the problem is likely to be one of mass transfer, and other reactor design options such as a spinning disc reactor should be considered. The SHE advisor may comment that not only is solvent 1 volatile but it is also moderately harmful and would require specialist handling equipment, hence it is very important to find an alternative. As waste minimization starts at the reaction stage it is critical to study this area in particular detail. Questions that can be asked include ... 

---