Microreactor System for High-Pressure Continuous Flow Homogeneous Catalysis Measurements

A high-pressure gas-liquid system is presented for determining homogeneous catalyst kinetic parameters. Microreactors enable segmented flow with very predictable gas liquid contacting, reducing the effects of mass transfer as well as facilitating isothermal operation. The system is capable of studying homogeneous catalysis at high temperature and pressure (<350 degrees C and <100 bar) under continuous flow. By varying the pressure, temperature, and concentrations of both gas and liquid species, it is possible to determine kinetic parameters. Both inline and offline analyses are performed using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography (GC). The hydroformylation of 1-octene is studied to demonstrate the utility of this microreactor system as a laboratory tool for kinetic measurements. The system is capable of providing both parameter estimation and mechanistic insight. A discussion is also included that explores the types of chemical systems that can be studied practically in microreactors.