Mesh microcontactor

Recent developments in the area of microengineered structures for chemical processing [24] made possible to manufacture meshes of various materials (i.e., steel, silicon nitride), by techniques such as standard mask lithography, or laser interference lithography [56,57]. 

A mesh microcontactor contains a microstructured plate with regular circular openings through which separate gas and hquid streams come into contact [58,59]. Stability of the interface and prevention of breakthrough is achieved by adjusting the pressure. Gas-liquid operation requires a low gas flow through the microcontactor 

A polyacrylate mesh microreactor was also used for analysis of residence time distribution and phase holdup [61,62]. Existence of hysteresis due to wetting characteristic of the mesh is observed and the liquid operating range was hmited by the area of individual mesh types [61]. Uniform flow and residence time distributions are achievable through an analytical resistance network model [62]. 

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In a mesh microcontactor, gas and liquid flow through separate compartments and are brought in contact by a partially porous wall between the compartments. The wall is a 5 pm thin plate with well-defined openings, into which the... 

In a mesh microcontactor, the meniscus shape at the interface between the two phases defines the available area for mass transfer and is a function of contact angle, pore geometry, and pressure difference between phases. The open area of the micromesh contactor can be as high as 40%, which leads to gas—liquid interfacial area of 2000m m- . This high gas-liquid interfacial area combined with the small fluid layer thickness in the order of 100 pm results in high mass transfer coefficients. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient reported for the very fast... 

B. Mackenzie, A mesh microcontactor for 2-phase reactions. Lab Chip, 2003, 3, 180-186. 

In a mesh microcontactor, the gas and liquid flow through separate channels. To provide stable operation, the fluid interface is immobilized by well-defined openings obtained with a thin mesh [94]. Interfacial forces help to stabilize the fluid interface within the openings, while fluid layers are thin enough to enhance mass... 

The first realized mesh microcontactor was shaped to restrict dispersion of sequential samples delivered to and from the reaction zone (Figure 9.7) [58,59]. A quadrant stmcture with manifold charmel at outlet only and central inlet feed was chosen. Nickel is used for the mesh material because of its robustness, ease of... 

Another membrane/mesh microcontactor is applied for stripping of volatile components from organic liquid solutions [60]. Membrane openings were manufactured by laser micromachining or photochemical etching. The maximum pore sizes were between 10 and 100 pm, and the open areas were in the range 8-30%. A photo of assembled device is shown in Figure 9.8. 

In a medi microcontactor, the gas and hquid flow through separate channels. To provide stable operation the fluids are separated by a thin mesh of typically 5 pm thickness. The fluids are in contact through holes with diameters of about... 

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