Towards Integrated Microsystems for Chemical Synthesis

Abstract

Steps towards the realization of integrated chemical systems are presented with particular emphasis on multiphase reactions, chemical separation, process monitoring, and the integration of these components. Flow visualization techniques for multiphase flows and microfabrication enabled methods for characterizing mass transfer are described. Techniques that exploit surface tension effects are introduced for efficient separation of gas-liquid flows. Microsystems capable of creating and breaking high interfacial area emulsions are proposed for extraction of products. Integration of analytical tools is achieved in terms of on-chip integration of optical spectroscopy as well as in-line use of gas-chromatography and mass spectroscopy to microfluidic devices. Challenges in the integration of microfluidic, reaction, separation, and analytical units into a microchemical system are considered starting from experiences with a multireactor system for testing heterogeneous catalytic reactions.