DE102012010959A1 - Apparatus for providing constant flow conditions of two different fluid phases in micro-channel elements with cellular structures, comprises micro-channel element, first fluid reservoir, and second fluid reservoir arranged in hollow needle - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for providing constant flow conditions of at least two different fluid phases in micro-channel elements with the cellular structures, comprises: at least one micro-channel element (1) with channels (2); a first fluid reservoir (3) with at least one inlet and outlet opening arranged such that each outlet opening is connected to a respective opening of a channel of a micro-channel element; and a second fluid reservoir (4) arranged in the hollow needle. A second fluid supplied by at least one inlet, is supplied into each channel of a micro-channel element, through the hollow needles. Apparatus for providing constant flow conditions of at least two different fluid phases in micro-channel elements with the cellular structures, comprises: at least one micro-channel element (1) with channels (2), which continuously have a constant cross-sectional area; a first fluid reservoir (3) with at least one inlet and outlet opening that are aligned in one direction and arranged such that each outlet opening is connected to a respective opening of a channel of a micro-channel element such that a first fluid supplied through an inlet, is supplied into each channel of a micro-channel element, through the outlet openings; and a second fluid reservoir (4) arranged in the hollow needle such that each hollow needle is inserted in a channel, along the central longitudinal axis of a channel of a micro-channel element in the flow direction over a length of 1-100 mm and/or the quotient of the outer diameter in each hollow needle and the inner diameter of a channel has a value of 1-0.1. A second fluid supplied by at least one inlet, is supplied into each channel of a micro-channel element, through the hollow needles. An independent claim is also included for providing a constant flow conditions of at least two different fluid phases in micro-channel elements with the cellular structures, using the above mentioned apparatus, comprises supplying the first fluid into through at least one inlet in a continuous or defined pulsed manner, and supplying the fluid from the first fluid reservoir in each channel of a micro-channel element through the outlet openings, in a continuous or defined pulsed manner in the flow direction; and supplying the second fluid supplied into the second fluid reservoir through a second inlet in a continuous or defined pulsed manner, and supplying the fluid from the second fluid reservoir through the hollow needles, directly into each channel of a micro-channel element, traversed by the first fluid channel in a continuous or defined pulsed manner, such that a fluid piston with defined length, defined flow rate, defined distribution and defined residence time are formed within the channels of the micro-channel elements, and the flow velocity, the phase distribution and the residence time distribution of fluid piston, is kept constant over the respective entire through-flow channel length.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for providing constant flow conditions of at least two different fluids in the cellular structures of microchannel elements and the use of such a device and such a method. These are in particular systems for more efficient implementation of chemical reaction processes.

Recent years' development has shown that systems having a cellular structure of microstructures play an important role in intensifying heat and mass transfer processes as well as in material conversion processes, such as chemical reaction processes. With such systems, for example, batch reaction processes can be converted into more efficient continuous processes. Potential applications include uncatalyzed and homogeneous and heterogeneously catalyzed reaction processes. For example, hydrogenation, oxidation, dehydrogenation, nitration and chlorination can occur.

Cellular structures, with straight channels arranged along the direction of flow, which are known in the specialist literature as honeycomb bodies, microchannel elements or monoliths, can have different cross-sectional shapes and have channel structures with a wide variety of surfaces. By way of example, coatings of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide and carbon with incorporated catalytically active substances, for example palladium, ruthenium, platinum, copper or iron, are mentioned. A single channel of such a channel structure may have any cross-sectional shapes with free hydraulic cross-sectional areas in the range of 0.2 mm ² to 25 mm ² . For chemical reaction processes, with gas / liquid or liquid / liquid flows, the defined addition of gas and liquid into a channel of a microchannel element as well as the uniform radial and axial distribution of the gases and liquids within the channels of a microchannel element is crucial to high space Time yields and material conversion rates. Since both gases and liquids are fluids, these are summarized below with the term "fluids".

The characteristic phase interfaces which form between two immiscible fluids, lead in the fluid flow within a channel in the case of liquid to form liquid pistons and in the case of gas to form gas bubbles. Such gas bubbles or liquid pistons are also referred to as fluid pistons, so that this name is henceforth used both for gas bubbles and for liquid pistons. The characteristic characteristics of such fluid pistons (length, ratio of gas fraction to liquid fraction) are largely determined by the way in which the fluids are fed into the channels. Accordingly, the mass transport is significantly influenced by the characteristics of the fluid piston. Furthermore, parameters such as the average residence time and the residence time distribution of the fluid pistons in the channels of the microchannel elements are influenced in such a way that the contact area of the fluid pistons with the inner surface of the channels and the contact duration can be controlled.

In particular, in applications with heterogeneous or homogeneous catalysis (catalytically active substances may also be dissolved in one of the fluid phases) is the setting of a narrow residence time distribution with little variation in the length of the fluid piston and scattering of the speed of the fluid piston desired because otherwise unwanted by-product formation and Selective loss can occur.

According to an application in which an extension of the flow-through channels is desired, the arrangement of several micro-channel elements along the flow direction may be required. For such a construction of a plurality of stacked microchannel elements, the smooth transfer of the flow from a microchannel element to a subsequent microchannel element is necessary in order to achieve required performance characteristics, such as conversion of the starting material or selectivity to the target product.

In a further application, it is desired to produce a segmented flow (special case: Taylor flow), the flow regime being characterized by alternating fluid pistons of a first and a second fluid. A thin film of a continuous second fluid may be interposed between the channel inner wall and a disperse first fluid Fluid are formed. Depending on the flow velocity, circulation flows into the fluid piston can thus be induced by friction effects on the channel wall.

Kawakami et al. Eng. Chem. Res. 1989, 28, 394-400), in their work entitled: "Performance of a Honeycomb Monolith Bioreactor in a Gas-Liquid-Solid Three-Phase System" , one three-phase monolith bioreactor formed by a 150 mm long monolith block. The feeding of gas into the liquid-flow channels of a monolith is carried out by a distribution system of capillaries in stacked monolithic disks with different numbers of individual channels with different channel cross-sections. In the downward flow, there is a risk that the homogeneous Taylor flow is disturbed by the different channel cross-sections and the different number of channels of each monolith slices through which flows. As a result, the homogeneous distribution and targeted adjustment of the fluid piston is not guaranteed. Even in upward flow, the arrangement is not suitable for generating a homogeneous Taylor flow.

Known solutions for the distribution of fluid phases (gas / liquid, liquid / liquid) in channel-like structures have two major disadvantages. On the one hand, with known phase distributors, no homogeneous distribution of the two fluid phases over the entire channel cross section and the entire channel length of microchannel elements can be achieved. Consequently, the maximum possible space-time yields can not be achieved. On the other hand, it is not possible to optimally adapt the surface of the phase interface (eg defined over the length of the respective fluid piston) to the requirements of a chemical reaction. Consequently, the space-time yield, the conversion and the achievable selectivity are limited.

In addition, an arrangement of a plurality of microchannel elements arranged one behind the other requires a transfer of the gas / liquid or liquid / liquid flows from channel to channel along the flow direction. Corresponding connecting elements which fulfill this task without influencing the flow are currently unknown.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide conditions and possibilities to provide constant flow and distribution ratios of at least two different fluid phases in microchannel elements.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the device and advantageous applications of the method can be found in the subordinate claims. The uses are specified in claim 16.

In the following, the invention will be described first generally, then with reference to corresponding exemplary embodiments. Individual features of the invention, as described in the embodiments, can be realized independently of other individual features of the embodiments.

A device according to the invention has at least two fluid reservoirs and at least one microchannel element with channels formed therein, which have a constant cross-sectional area throughout.

At a first fluid reservoir at least one inlet and a plurality of outlet openings for a first fluid (gas or liquid) are provided, wherein the outlet openings are aligned in one direction and arranged so that in each case one of the outlet openings with at least one opening of a channel of a micro-channel element Compound forms. In this case, the outlet openings may preferably have identical free cross-sectional areas. In each case one of the outlet openings is connected in each case to one of the channels of a microchannel element in such a way that through the outlet openings a first fluid supplied through a first inlet, uniformly or continuously pulsed, can be fed into each channel of the microchannel element.

A second fluid reservoir has at least one inlet and a plurality of hollow needles, wherein the hollow needles are aligned in one direction and / or arranged parallel, so that at least one respective hollow needle along the central longitudinal axis of a channel of a micro-channel element in the flow direction of the first fluid over a length in the range from 1 mm to 100 mm in such a channel is introduced and / or the quotient Q ₁ , which is formed from the outer diameter of each of a hollow needle and the inner diameter of a channel, a value in the range of 0.1 ≤ Q ₁ <1 , preferably 0.9 ≦ Q ₁ <1.

In this case, the second fluid reservoir, through at least one second inlet, a second fluid (gas or liquid) is supplied that can be fed through the hollow needles, uniformly continuous or pulsed, in each of the first fluid flow channel of a micro-channel element.

A connection between at least one hollow needle and the second reservoir may be designed such that at least one hollow needle is displaceable and / or replaceable. A hollow needle can also be materially connected and fixed to a second fluid reservoir. In a particular embodiment, a second fluid reservoir may have at least two consecutive hollow needles arranged along their central longitudinal axis, which are slidable into one another. Through appropriate movement mechanisms of the displaceable needles, phase boundary surfaces of the fluid pistons can be changed during operation, that is, during which the channels are traversed with fluid. The displacement of two along their central longitudinal axis successively, each arranged on a base plate hollow needles can be done for example by a hydraulic system. In this case, a movable by a hydraulic or mechanical base plate with therein aligned in the flow direction hollow needles along the central longitudinal axis of arranged in a rigid base plate arranged in the flow direction hollow needles, are moved alternately in the flow direction that hollow needles of the movable base plate in the hollow needles of the rigid Base plate can be inserted.

Said microchannel elements may have a channel density of 10 channels to 1500 channels per cm ² through which fluid can flow, wherein the inner free cross sections of the channels may have different shapes with internal free cross sectional areas in the range of 0.2 mm ² to 25 mm ² ,

If an extension of the channels through which fluid can flow is required, then microchannel elements can be arranged in series in the flow direction in succession. Such successive microchannel elements should have identical cross-sectional shapes and areas of their channels and may be connected bypass-free with a channel connector. Such a channel connection element may be formed as a base plate with through-holes projecting perpendicularly on both sides, wherein the channel connection elements are introduced into in each case two adjoining flow channels of the microchannel elements, so that the microchannel elements can be connected to one another. In this case, the connection can be positively, for example by press-fitting or cohesively, for example by soldering or gluing done. The total usable channel length for a reaction can thus be in the range from 0.01 m to 80 m, preferably 0.1 m to 80 m.

The inner walls of the channels of the microchannel elements may be coated with at least one catalyst and / or at least one catalyst may be immobilized as a powder or shaped bed within the channels of a microchannel element. However, a catalyst may also flow as fluid or in suspended form through the channels of a microchannel element. Furthermore, at least one catalyst may be immobilized in the material of which a microchannel element is formed. A microchannel element can also be formed from at least one catalytically active material. The fluid reservoirs, the hollow needles and / or the passages of the channel connecting elements can also be made catalytically active. However, a catalyst can also flow as a fluid and / or as a suspension through the channels of a microchannel element.

Catalysts are substances which increase the reaction rate by lowering the activation energy of a chemical reaction without being consumed by it itself. Accordingly, enzymes should also be understood as catalysts which catalyze one or more biochemical reactions. Likewise to be understood as catalysts any kind of microorganisms that can be used technically due to their metabolism / metabolism for the production of a particular substance.

In the case of the channel connecting elements, the value can be from the quotient between the outer diameter of the bushings and the inner diameter of the respective channel, with a cohesive connection <1, and can be> 1 in the case of a positive connection. With sufficient material properties, a press fit of the bushings in the channels of the micro-channel elements can be selected. By having a sufficiently good connection, erroneous flows within a respective channel can be reduced. The wall thickness of the bushings should be as small as possible in order to minimize resulting additional pressure losses. The channel connection elements can also be used specifically for inducing pulsations in the channels. For example, the quotient Q ₂ , which is formed from the inner diameter of a passage and the channel inner diameter, a value in the range of 0.1 ≤ Q ₂ <1, preferably 0.1 ≤ Q ₂ <0.9, causing acceleration effects which can lead to an intensification of material and heat exchange processes.

Such first and second fluid reservoirs, the hollow needles, the channel connecting elements and the leadthroughs may be made, for example, by template techniques of different materials, such as For example, be made of metal or ceramic and may also have corresponding inert or reactive interior wall coatings. For such inner wall coatings in the channels, hollow needles and / or bushings, layers of alumina, silica or carbon can be used in conjunction with intercalated catalytically active substances such as ruthenium, palladium, platinum, copper or iron.

The microchannel element (s) can be oriented in different spatial directions, in particular horizontally and vertically. In-line, consecutive microchannel elements should have continuous channels with uniform cross-sectional areas.

Gaseous fluids may be supplied to the fluid reservoirs with mass flow controllers or compressors, while for the supply of liquid fluids, for example, piston, centrifugal or dual-action dual piston pumps may be employed. Furthermore, the supply of liquid fluids with pulsation-free pumps or pumps with targeted controllable pulsation can take place. Alternatively to said continuous feeds, pulsation type feeds provided by the coupling of flow controlled devices such as piezo actuated valves or classical mechanical or electrical solenoid valves, with a pressurized fluid reservoir or by periodically operating fluid delivery systems such as single piston pumps may also be used.

When supplying gaseous fluids into a fluid reservoir, additional pressure loss-generating elements may be present to reduce a buffer volume outside the respective fluid reservoir or in front of the respective fluid reservoir. In this case, a pressure loss-generating element can reduce or prevent the interaction when a gaseous fluid flows into a fluid reservoir. Pressure loss elements may be filter elements, diaphragms or flow areas with reduced flow cross-section.

In a further embodiment of the device, a plurality of hollow needles can be introduced into a channel of a microchannel element, so that a plurality of fluids can be supplied simultaneously or independently, pulsed and / or continuously.

In a method according to the invention for providing constant flow conditions of at least two fluid phases in microchannel elements having cellular structures, a first fluid is pulsed continuously or in a defined manner through at least one inlet, fed into a first fluid reservoir.

From there, the first fluid is fed uniformly through the outlet openings, continuous or pulsed, into each channel of a microchannel element in the flow direction, wherein in each case the same volume flow of the first fluid is dispensed through the outlet openings. It should be followed by each outlet an identical flow rate of the first fluid.

A second fluid is supplied pulsed through at least one second inlet into a second fluid reservoir in a continuous or defined manner. From there, the second fluid is supplied uniformly through the hollow needles, continuously or pulsed directly in the direction of flow of the first fluid, into each channel of a microchannel element already flowed through by the first fluid, wherein the same volume flow of the second fluid is delivered through each hollow needle, preferably in each case. For the guided through each hollow needle second fluid each an identical flow rate should be maintained in each hollow needle.

A first fluid must be different from the second fluid in which the fluids differ, for example, in their density, viscosity, surface tension, material composition, wettability and / or polarity.

The pulsed supply of a first fluid should take place in a channel of a microchannel element continuously flowed through by a second fluid. In this case, the pulsed first fluid can be supplied either through the outlet openings of the first fluid reservoir, if the continuous fluid flow of the second fluid through the hollow needles or supplied by the hollow needles, if the continuous fluid flow of the second fluid through the outlet openings of the first fluid reservoir. However, it is also possible for the first and the second fluid to be supplied pulsed into a channel of a microchannel element.

The continuous and / or pulsed discharge of the first and second fluids should be adjusted so that within a channel of a microchannel element, defined and controlled interface surfaces, surfaces in contact with each other, form between the first and second fluids. In this case, the pulsation of the first fluid or the flow speed of the second fluid should be selected such that fluid pistons with a defined length and short length variation are formed.

By adjusting the pulsation rate and the duration of a single pulsation of a first fluid, depending on the flow rate of the second fluid, the length and the residence time distribution of the fluid piston of the second fluid can be influenced.

In this case, fluid pistons with a defined length, defined flow rate, defined fluid distribution and defined residence time distribution are formed within the channels of the microchannel elements. The flow rate, the phase distribution and the residence time distribution of the fluid piston, the first and / or second fluid are kept constant over each of the entire flow-through channel length of a micro-channel element or arranged in series, successive micro-channel elements (apart from changes caused by the consumption in the material conversion process be caused).

In addition, the parameters: length, flow rate, fluid distribution, phase distribution, residence time distribution, and flow direction of fluid pistons may be kept constant without chemical reaction regardless of the spatial orientation of a microchannel element and / or series-sequential microchannel elements. The set parameters should be kept constant, even if there is a change in the spatial orientation of the device during operation. Furthermore, the device can be operated with constant parameters in horizontal flow and / or in vertical flow in up and down flow. A segmented flow can thus be generated for different flow directions at different spatial orientations of the device.

The chemical reactions taking place within the channels consume the substances present in the fluid pistons, so that the length of the fluid pistons can change.

The change in the phase boundaries between two fluids can be adjusted by changing the ratio of the inner diameter of a hollow needle to the inner diameter of the respective channel by adjusting the inner diameter of hollow needles by hollow needles being intermeshable along the central longitudinal axis. However, a change in the phase boundary surfaces between two fluids can also be produced by an alternating movement pattern of hollow needles which can be displaced along the central longitudinal axis.

A device according to the invention and a method according to the invention can be used for carrying out material conversion processes and in particular for carrying out chemical reaction processes of a substance A with or in the presence of at least one substance B and / or in the presence of a catalyst Y and / or in the presence of further substances to at least one Substance C can be used. In each case one channel of a microchannel element and / or microchannel elements arranged in series, a first fluid, with a substance A present therein or a first fluid, which is formed from a substance A or a dilution of the substance A, is fed continuously and at least one second fluid, with a pulsation rate is set from 1 min ^-1 to 1000 s ^-1 , pulsed uniformly by hollow needles, fed in a flowed through the first fluid channel of a micro-channel element so that within the channels of a micro-channel element fluid piston with a defined length ( LS, LB), flow rate, residence time and residence time distribution.

In this case, within a channel of a microchannel element, a temperature in the range of 10 ° C. to 1000 ° C. and a pressure in the range of 0.01 bar to 500 bar should be set in such a way that, if possible, the optimum for a reactivity of substance A with or in the presence the substance B and / or in the presence of a catalyst Y to at least one substance C is set.

The substance A contained in the fluid piston can then be reacted with or in the presence of at least one substance B and / or in the presence of further substances and / or in the presence of a catalyst Y and / or immobilized on the channel inner walls of the microchannel elements and / or immobilized in the channel inner walls of the microchannel elements in the presence of a catalyst Y which is present as a powder or shaped bed within a channel or in one of the two fluids or flows as a fluid or in suspended form in a channel, reacting along the length of a channel and are converted to at least one substance C. A fluid can also be formed with at least one substance B. In addition, at least one substance B may be contained in one of the fluids. Furthermore, the substance B may be immobilized in or on the channels of a microchannel element. As a result, any material conversion processes, preferably chemical, heterogeneous or homogeneously catalyzed reaction processes, such as hydrogenations, oxidations, dehydrogenations, nitrations and chlorinations, acylations, alkylations, carboxylations, halogenations, hydroformulations, or hydroxylations are performed.

With other particular embodiments of the device, methods with complex and multi-stage / multi-phase reaction processes and reaction cascades can be carried out by using series-arranged, successive microchannel elements which can be coated and / or modified with different catalysts.

The implementation of the invention is illustrated in the following embodiment.

It shows:

1a / b: schematic sectional view of a device for providing constant flow conditions of fluids in microchannel elements with cellular structures,

2 FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a connecting element with two successive microchannel elements, FIG.

3a / b / c: Homogeneous distribution of fluid pistons in a microchannel element with varied volume flows.

In the 1a is a section through an example of a device according to the invention shown, in which the inlets 3.1 and 4.1 of the first fluid reservoir 3 and the second fluid reservoir 4 are arranged perpendicular to the flow direction S. When in the 1b illustrated device according to the invention are the inlets 3.1 and 4.1 arranged in the direction of the flow direction S. Here are the two fluid reservoirs 3 and 4 each connected to each other so that each one of the second fluid reservoir 4 outgoing aligned in the flow direction S hollow needles 4.2 by each one of the identical in cross section outlet openings 3.2 of the first fluid reservoir 3 through, in each case a channel 2 a microchannel element 1 is introduced. The fluid reservoirs 3 and 4 are with the microchannel element 1 connected to the environment pressure and fluid-tight. In each of the fluid reservoirs 3 and 4 can be supplied gaseous or liquid fluid.

In the 2 is a sectional view of a channel connector 5 for connecting two consecutive microchannel elements 1 displayed. In each case one of the perpendicular to both sides of the base plate of the channel connecting element 5 outstanding bushings 5.1 , is in each case two gengenüberliegende channels 2 of opposite in the flow direction S micro-channel elements 1 introduced and thereby bypassed connected and sealed fluid-tight.

The 3a shows a fluid flow in the downward flow with a gaseous fluid (air) that over the hollow needles 4.2 of the second fluid reservoir 4 in 10 parallel channels 2 is supplied. The liquid fluid (water) passes through the outlet openings 3.2 of the first fluid reservoir 3 into the channels 2 fed. The volume flow of the gaseous fluid and the liquid fluid is 60 ml / min at a pressure of 0.1 MPa and a temperature of 293 K. Here are fluid piston of the liquid fluid having a defined length LS and fluid piston of the gaseous fluid having a defined length LB educated.

In the 3b are fluid pistons within a channel 2 with a channel connector 5 shown, wherein in the channel a first liquid fluid, with a flow rate of 3 ml / min (0.05 ml / s) and a second gaseous fluid, with a flow rate of 30 ml / min (0.5 ml / s) supplied becomes. Furthermore, the shows 3c Fluid piston within a channel 2 , wherein for a first liquid fluid, a volume flow of 1.5 ml / min (0.025 ml / s) and a flow rate of a second gaseous fluid at 150 ml / min (2.50 ml / s) is set. As the volume flows of the first and second fluids are adjusted, the lengths and distributions of the fluid pistons are adjusted and varied.

Like the two 3b and 3c can still be seen, there is no influence on the length of the fluid piston through the channel connecting element 5 , So corresponds in the 3b , the length of the liquid piston LSv1 (1.3 mm) of the liquid fluid in the flow direction S in front of the channel connecting element 5 , the length of the liquid piston LSn1 (1.3 mm) of the liquid fluid in the flow direction S behind the channel connecting member 5 , Likewise, this is also the case for the length of the fluid piston of the gaseous fluid. Accordingly, the length of the fluid piston corresponds to LBv1 (2.1 mm) in front of the channel connector 5 , of the Length of the fluid piston LBn1 (2.1 mm) in the flow direction S behind the duct connection element 5 , This is also with changed volume flow conditions of 3c the case. Thus, the length of the fluid piston LSv2 (0.4 mm) corresponds to the length of the fluid piston LSn2 (0.4 mm) and the length of the fluid piston LBv2 (6.8 mm) to the length of the fluid piston LSn2 (6.8 mm).

Another example shows that the length of fluid piston and the phase interfaces between the fluids involved (phases), with the change in the inner diameter of the hollow needles 4.2 a device according to the invention can be adjusted. Table 1 below shows the lengths of fluid pistons and the phase boundaries between the fluids involved (phases) which are generated when the internal channel diameter is changed at a constant flow rate of 0.025 m / s of the fluids used. The fluid 1 is alpha-methylstyrene (AMS) and the fluid 2 is hydrogen (H ₂ ). Table 1 (fluid 1: AMS; fluid 2: H ₂ ; pressure: 1 MPa; temperature: 293 K) Inner diameter hollow needle ( 4.2 ) Fluid piston length fluid 1 Fluid piston length fluid 2 Specific exchange area fluid 1 - channel wall [m ² / m ³ ] Specific exchange area fluid 2 - channel wall [m ² / m ³ ] Specific exchange area Fluid 1-Fluid 2 [m ² / m ³ ] 0.18 0.8 1.1 211 3789 276 0.32 1.6 1.7 848 3152 159 0.49 2.1 2.1 1048 2952 125

The use of the device according to the invention is described below using the example of the hydrogenation of alphamethylstyrene (AMS) to form cumene.

In this application example, the device according to the invention has a microchannel element 1 with catalytically active channels 2 , with a flow-through channel length of 0.6 m and a channel cross-sectional area of 1 mm ² . The microchannel elements 1 are formed with a combination of cordierite and alumina and coated with the catalyst palladium (Y), with a total mass of 5.5 mg. At an internal channel temperature of 343 K and a pressure of 1 MPa, the first fluid AMS continuously through the outlet openings 3.2 of the first fluid reservoir 3 in the flow direction S, in each case a channel 2 of the microchannel element 1 fed. The second fluid is hydrogen by hollow needles 4.2 , from the second fluid reservoir 4 continuously in each case a flowed through by the first fluid channel 2 fed. Depending on the flow velocity of the two supplied fluids, a segmented flow is formed in which different conversion rates of AMS to cumene are measured at different flow rates of the two fluids. Table 2 below shows the conversion rates of AMS to cumene at different flow rates of the fluids supplied. Table 2 Fluid 1 AMS [m / s] Fluid 2 H ₂ [m / s] Sales AMS [%] 0.094 0.031 5.7 0,150 0,050 6.4 0,025 0,025 24.0 0.063 0.063 13.9 0,100 0,100 9.7 0,150 0,150 8.2 0,003 0,008 60.9 0,013 0,038 49.7 0.031 0.094 30.3 0,050 0,150 18.9

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Microchannel element

2

channels

3

First fluid reservoir

3.1

First inlet

3.2

outlet openings

4

Second fluid reservoir

4.1

Second inlet

4.2

hollow needles

5

Channel coupling

5.1

bushings

S

flow direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• Kawakami et al. Eng. Chem. Res. 1989, 28, 394-400), in their work entitled: "Performance of a Honeycomb Monolith Bioreactor in a Gas-Liquid-Solid Three-Phase System" [0008]

Claims (16)

Device for providing constant flow conditions of at least two different fluid phases in microchannel elements with cellular structures, comprising at least one microchannel element ( 1 ) with channels formed therein ( 2 ), which have a constant cross-sectional area throughout, a first fluid reservoir ( 3 ), with at least one inlet ( 3.1 ) and outlet openings ( 3.2 ), which are aligned in one direction and arranged so that in each case one of the outlet openings ( 3.2 ) each having an opening of a channel ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ) is connected by an inlet ( 3.1 ) supplied first fluid through the outlet openings ( 3.2 ) in each channel ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ), and a second fluid reservoir ( 4 ) in the hollow needles ( 4.2 ) are arranged so that in each case one of the hollow needles ( 4.2 ) along the central longitudinal axis of a channel ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ) in the flow direction S over a length in the range of 1 mm to 100 mm in such a channel ( 2 ) is introduced and / or the quotient Q ₁ from the outer diameter of a respective hollow needle ( 4.2 ) and the inner diameter of a channel ( 2 ) has a value in the range of 0.1 ≤ Q ₁ <1, with one passing through at least one inlet ( 4.1 ) supplied second fluid through the hollow needles ( 4.2 ) in each channel ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ) can be fed. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that successive microchannel elements ( 1 ) with a channel connection element ( 5 ) are bypass-connected, wherein a base plate with therein perpendicular on both sides outstanding through-holes ( 5.1 ) into two adjacent channels ( 2 ) of two interconnected microchannel elements ( 1 ) are introduced and the micro-channel elements are thereby interconnected. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire flow-through channel length with a plurality of arranged in series, in the flow direction S interconnected micro-channel elements ( 1 ) is formed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the microchannel element (s) ( 1 ) in different spatial directions, in particular horizontally and vertically, is alignable / are. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the supply of gas, as one of the two fluids, in a fluid reservoir ( 3 or 4 ), to reduce a buffer volume in front of the respective fluid reservoir ( 3 or 4 ), additional pressure loss generating elements are arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply of liquid fluids with pulsation-free pumps or pumps with targeted controllable pulsation. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two consecutive hollow needles ( 4.2 ), are slidable along their central longitudinal axis. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow needles ( 4.2 ) and / or the bushings ( 5.1 ) of the channel connection elements ( 5 ) are carried out catalytically active. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a microchannel element ( 1 ) is formed from at least one catalytically active material and / or at least one catalyst Y is immobilized in the material of which a microchannel element is formed and / or the inner walls of the channels ( 2 ) are coated with at least one catalyst Y and / or at least one catalyst Y as a powder or molding charge within the channels ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ) is immobilized or flows therein as fluid or in suspended form. A method for providing constant flow ratios of at least two different fluid phases in microchannel elements having cellular structures, using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a first fluid is introduced through at least one inlet ( 3.1 ) continuously or defined pulsed in a first fluid reservoir ( 3 ) and from there through the outlet openings ( 3.2 ), pulsed continuously or in a defined manner, into each channel ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ) in the flow direction S, and a second fluid through a second inlet ( 4.1 ) continuously or defined pulsed in a second fluid reservoir ( 4 ) and from there through the hollow needles ( 4.2 ), pulsed continuously or defined in Flow direction S, directly into each channel through which the first fluid flows ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ), so that within the channels ( 2 ) of the microchannel elements ( 1 ), Fluid piston having a defined length, a defined flow velocity, a defined distribution and a defined residence time distribution are formed and the flow velocity, the phase distribution and the residence time distribution of fluid piston is kept constant over the entire flow-through channel length. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that a change in the phase interface between the first and the second fluid by a movement pattern, along the central longitudinal axis of interlocking hollow needles ( 4.2 ) is set. Process according to claims 10 or 11, characterized in that a uniform phase distribution of fluid pistons over the entire cross section of the microchannel elements ( 1 ) is complied with. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the length, the flow velocity, the distribution and the flow direction S of fluid piston, regardless of the spatial orientation of a micro-channel element ( 1 ) and / or sequentially arranged successive microchannel elements ( 1 ), is held constant over the entire flowable channel length if no chemical reaction takes place. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that for the implementation of material conversion processes and in particular for carrying out chemical, heterogeneous or homogeneously catalyzed reaction processes of a substance A with or in the presence of at least one substance B and / or in the presence of at least one catalyst Y to at least one substance C, at least two mutually different fluids, with at least one substance A contained therein and with at least one substance B contained therein, of which a fluid, in each case one channel of a microchannel element and / or arranged in series microchannel elements is continuously supplied, and another fluid, with a pulsation rate that is set in the range of 1 min ^-1 to 1000 s ^-1 , by hollow needles ( 4.2 ) each pulsed uniformly, in a fluid-flow channel ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ) is fed so that within the channels ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ) Fluid piston of defined length (LS, LB), flow velocity, residence time and residence time distribution are formed, wherein within a channel ( 2 ) of a microchannel element ( 1 ) a temperature in the range of 10 ° C to 1000 ° C and a pressure in the range of 0.01 bar to 500 bar are set so that as possible the optimum for a reactivity of the substance A with or in the presence of at least one substance B and / or in the presence of at least one catalyst Y is adjusted to at least one substance C and the substance A contained in the fluid piston with at least one substance B contained in the fluid piston and / or at least one in the microchannel elements ( 1 ) immobilized catalyst Y along the length of a channel ( 2 ) and is converted to at least one substance C. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the entire flow-through channel length has a value in the range of 0.01 m to 80 m. Use of apparatus and method according to any preceding claim for material conversion processes such as hydrogenations, oxidations, dehydrogenations, nitrations and chlorinations, acylations, alkylations, carboxylations, halogenations, hydroformulations, or hydroxylations.

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