Parallel Batch Screening Reactors

Batchwise operating three-phase reactors are frequently used in the production of fine and specialty chemicals, such as ingredients in drags, perfumes and alimentary products. Large-scale chemical industry, on the other hand, is often used with continuous reactors. As we developed a parallel screening system for catalytic three-phase processes, the first decision concerned the operation mode batchwise or continuous. We decided for a continuous reactor system. Batchwise operated parallel sluny reactors are conunercially available, but it is in many cases difficult to reveal catalyst deactivation from batch experiments. In addition, investigation of the effect of catalyst particle size on the overall activity and product distribution is easier in a continuous device. 

A new alternative approach for Stage I screening in liquid phase is the use of bubble column-type reactors. These parallel bubble columns can operate in batch and fed-batch mode regarding the reaction mixture, while a continuous stream of gas is used as reactant (H2, 02, or others) as well as for the intense agitation of the reaction mixture (Figure 11.39). 

The very first outcome of miniaturization is the small feature size, which allows for less building materials to be used, less space to be taken, and less electrol5des required for the operation, etc. This results in substantially less expense for MFC research than for macro-scale research a practical issue that most researchers may consider. Along with the small feature size, batch fabrication allows ease of forming arrays. An MFC reactor array is useful for screening exoelectrogens and can be connected in a series or parallel to boost the voltage of the current. 

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