Characterization of a redispersion microreactor by studying its dispersion performance

A redispersion microreactor concept developed for liquid-liquid biphasic reactions was characterized by studying its dispersion performance for the n-heptane/water system both with and without surfactant. The concept is based on repeated droplet breakage by so-called redispersion units distributed over the length of the reactor, which either contain microstructured channels or consist of metal foam. The steel microchannel units lead to a higher pressure drop compared to the metal foam. In the presence of a surfactant, the droplet size is reduced stepwise by the redispersion units. At a given flow rate, the steel insets deliver smaller mean diameter droplets compared to the foam insets. Drop coalescence comes into play in the absence of the surfactant. In this instance, the redispersion units recreate and maintain the interfacial area along the length of the reactor albeit with coalescence.