Novel formats for polymer supports

To date research into polymer supports has centred on particulate (spherical) species because of their availability, and because of their use already in e.g. major ion exchange processes, and in acid catalyses. Typically particles in the size range - 250 pm-l mm have been exploited. Species much smaller than these are difficult to handle in large scale processes, but there are many speciality applications where smaller particles may be useful. The scope for developing small particles, and a review of 

1 mm in diameter in large columns is not straightforward however. In principle they can be used as a fluidised bed or a packed bed. In practice in catalytic applications they are often packed into tea-bag or other containers, and then these packed into the large reactor columns. Clearly there are opportunities here for new ideas. 

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