An innovative program aims to optimise the management of parasitic solid compounds generated during chemical reactions. Trials will focus on applications within the pharmaceutical industry and the production of high-value compounds in fine chemistry.
Flow chemistry has seen significant advancements recently, both in academic and industrial settings.
However, the technology encounters a substantial challenge when the reactions produce solids. Specifically, precipitation reactions can cause fouling and blockages in reaction channels.
Experts estimate that more than 60% of the reactions applicable to flow chemistry involve solid materials. Although effective solutions are available for scenarios where solids are added to the reactor, the industry still lacks a satisfactory method for managing solids that form in situ within the reactor.
Climate tech company KHIMOD and technological resource platform FloW4all (affiliated with the University of Liège) are working on a collaboration to utilise an innovative technology combining KHIMOD’s heat exchanger-reactors with ultrasound to manage solids effectively. Integrating ultrasound with KHIMOD’s monolithic exchanger-reactors enables controlled solid precipitation without the usual drawbacks, such as system clogging.
The patented technology is valuable for industries where the purity and precision of chemical processes are critical.
A specially designed exchanger-reactor – recently delivered to FloW4all – is central to two major research and development focuses:
Proving the device’s effectiveness through empirical studies
The goal is to demonstrate the system’s effectiveness using model reactions and application scenarios in the industry. These will validate the performance of the exchanger-reactor under varied conditions and provide empirical data on how the technology can be adapted and optimised for specific applications. This research phase will help refine processes and demonstrate the system’s flexibility and performance across different industrial settings.
Industrialisation for the Pharmaceutical Sector
Demonstrate the ability of the exchanger-reactor to maintain continuous reactions, even
when solids form, for the continuous flow production of fine chemical products.
Explore innovative methods of solid management to reduce the risks of clogging, thus increasing the overall efficiency of the processes.
Enhance solid precipitation to better control the size of the particles formed.
Implement this breakthrough technology under extreme temperature and pressure conditions, as KHIMOD’s exchanger-reactor are already recognized in the flow chemistry market for their capability to operate at up to 93 bars and 560°C.
The research will lay a solid foundation for the development of more efficient processes in highly regulated and technically demanding sectors, according to publicity materials.
KHIMOD’s heat exchanger-reactors are renowned for their reliability and high performance, even under extreme pressure and temperature conditions, and are widely adopted in the industry for catalytic hydrogenation reactions.
Eric Aubay, Vice President of Flow Chemistry at KHIMOD, said, “We are extremely proud to collaborate with FloW4all, a platform globally recognised for its expertise in flow chemistry.
“This partnership marks a new phase in our development, as it represents the first industrial application of our latest technology that combines our heat exchanger-reactor with ultrasound, previously validated only in an academic setting.
“Transitioning from academic to industrial has always been our goal, but we needed a partner with the necessary skills and vision to overcome scaling challenges. We are confident that this technology, now ready for scaling, will open new avenues for continuous chemistry across various industries.
Jean-Christophe Monbaliu, Director of FloW4all, added, “The partnership with KHIMOD is a strategic opportunity to enhance the diversity of our technological offerings at FloW4all. The ability to efficiently manage solids in mesofluidic reactors opens new avenues that we are eager to explore.”
