Plug-Flow Tube Photoreactors
photoFLOW photoreactor
Commercial scale photoFLOW photoreactor and scale down to lab size
Batch reactors often reach their limits due to lack of precise reaction control, limited volumes and inaccurate temperature control.
The photoFLOW reactor operates continuously and features a carrier design with FEP or glass tubes mounted around a support system and immersed in a temperature bath. A high power LED light source or a medium pressure light source can be placed in the center of the tube support. This ensures that most of the photons in the process are used efficiently without having large reflection losses. This design enables simple yet precise control of photochemical reactions in the flow.
Continuous flow operation facilitates reaction progress tracking and optimization of existing processes, making the system ideal for pharmaceutical applications. The precise process control helps, for example, to minimize unwanted by-products due to over-irradiation.
The photoFLOW reactor offers several important advantages. It can be operated with small volumes even in the early stages of development. In addition, controlled thermal conditions ensure that the reaction temperature is precisely maintained throughout the process. This control also extends to the flow rate, which enables the reaction to run smoothly and reliably.
Features
- Scalable tube photoreactor
- Thermoliquid for temperature control
- Adjustable high power LED
- Easy scale-up for commercial production
Static mixers force the process stream into split and recombined flow patterns, while a superimposed pulse can increase turbulence and significantly improve mass and heat transfer. This pulsating flow pattern technology regulates hydrodynamics independently of the net flow rate, enabling effective mixing at all flow rates.
The system also enables targeted control of conversion rates and detailed analysis of reaction kinetics, which facilitates the monitoring and optimization of reactions. The design of the reactor also ensures an even distribution of residence time, which is crucial for many photochemical processes.
Another significant advantage is the intensive mass transfer within the tubes, which increases the efficiency of the reactions. The photoreactor can be operated under laminar, turbulent and hydrodynamic conditions with plug flow. The materials used in the reactor are chemically neutral and resistant, which ensures a long service life and reliability in various chemical environments. In addition, the photoFLOW reactor with its different tube diameters and the possibility of adapting the length of the reaction zone to the specific requirements of the process offers a wide range of applications.
Typical applications
- Active pharmaceutical intermediates (API), e.g. synthesis of Artemisinin (antimalarial drug), singlet oxygen reaction
- API and intermediate synthesis (e.g. Iribotecan by Cis-Trans Isomerization and Artemisinin by Singlet Oxygen Reaction)
- API carriers and particle modifications
- API synthesis
- Production of Vitamins
- Brominated intermediates for synthesis
- Chlorinated intermediates for synthesis
- Fluorinations, Sulfoxidations, Nitrosylations
- Fragrances
- Plant treatment intermediate
- Polymer functionalization
- Preparative photochemistry in general implying strongly absorbing substrates and/or radical imtermediates
- Safety agents
Easy scalable tube photoreactor
It is a ground-breaking system that can be easily scaled up to a commercial level for the first time, which was previously not possible with tubular reactors. Using this innovative technology, all the necessary laboratory parameters can be investigated to enable successful upscaling. Researchers can use this laboratory system to precisely determine and optimize conditions for large-scale production, bridging the gap between small-scale experimentation and commercial application.
photoFLOW photoreactor in pilot size
photoFLow photoreactor in commercial size
What services we offer
- Engineering and supply of industrial-sized photochemical reactors
- Scale-up of your process from lab-size to industrial-size
- Scale-down of your process from industrial-size to mini-plant-size
- Photochemical process consultancy
- HAZOP studies for safe operation
- Commissioning support, on-site service
Any questions?
Please ask us
Davide Onesti
Customer Service,
Purchase & Sales
service@peschl-ultraviolet.com
