Chapter 5
Gone with the Flow: Miniaturization
and Safer Chemistry
Abstract Like other enabling technologies, ultrasonication has moved progressively
from batch to flow conditions, which are more suitable for large-scale applications
and industrial purposes. Without discussing comprehensively, the subject of sonochemistry underflow, this chapter provides some background and practical considerations with a focus on chemical synthesis in following the heading of this monograph. A deeper analysis is presented for miniaturized systems as microfluidics and
machine-assisted approaches will doubtless be the future of chemistry. Ultrasound in
microchannels helps to prevent clogging while enhancing considerably mass transfer. Moreover, such applications will require the design of more efficient microsonoreactors and an accurate control of external parameters.
5.1 Introduction: Batch Versus Flow
The advantages of using flow conditions in chemical reactions for synthesis, or
chemistry in general, can be more relevant than thought at first sight. One day, it could
become economically relevant for chemical production companies, to produce highvalue chemicals in the pharmaceutical and fine chemistry industry among others.
However, for scientists regularly not concerned with economic aspects, or future
potential valorization of their findings, the most commonly preferred system is the
batch reactor.
This preference for batch over continuous flow reactors can be given by different
reasons. Batch systems are easier to explain to students, or to adapt in real-world
scenarios from textbooks or laboratory practices. For example, ‘making a beaker
bigger’ and scaling the stirring or cooling needed for a bench reaction up to industrial
scales seem logical; and for many centuries, it has proven to be successful. The
idealized concept of controlling the volume, pressure, temperature and residence
time in a batch reactor is more appealing than a continuous flow reactor whose
content is constantly moving as it changes. Furthermore, mathematical models for
David Fernandez Rivas contributed to this chapter.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2018
J.-M. Lévêque et al., Organic Sonochemistry, Ultrasound and Sonochemistry,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98554-1_5
71
Gone with the Flow: Miniaturization
and Safer Chemistry
Abstract Like other enabling technologies, ultrasonication has moved progressively
from batch to flow conditions, which are more suitable for large-scale applications
and industrial purposes. Without discussing comprehensively, the subject of sonochemistry underflow, this chapter provides some background and practical considerations with a focus on chemical synthesis in following the heading of this monograph. A deeper analysis is presented for miniaturized systems as microfluidics and
machine-assisted approaches will doubtless be the future of chemistry. Ultrasound in
microchannels helps to prevent clogging while enhancing considerably mass transfer. Moreover, such applications will require the design of more efficient microsonoreactors and an accurate control of external parameters.
5.1 Introduction: Batch Versus Flow
The advantages of using flow conditions in chemical reactions for synthesis, or
chemistry in general, can be more relevant than thought at first sight. One day, it could
become economically relevant for chemical production companies, to produce highvalue chemicals in the pharmaceutical and fine chemistry industry among others.
However, for scientists regularly not concerned with economic aspects, or future
potential valorization of their findings, the most commonly preferred system is the
batch reactor.
This preference for batch over continuous flow reactors can be given by different
reasons. Batch systems are easier to explain to students, or to adapt in real-world
scenarios from textbooks or laboratory practices. For example, ‘making a beaker
bigger’ and scaling the stirring or cooling needed for a bench reaction up to industrial
scales seem logical; and for many centuries, it has proven to be successful. The
idealized concept of controlling the volume, pressure, temperature and residence
time in a batch reactor is more appealing than a continuous flow reactor whose
content is constantly moving as it changes. Furthermore, mathematical models for
David Fernandez Rivas contributed to this chapter.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2018
J.-M. Lévêque et al., Organic Sonochemistry, Ultrasound and Sonochemistry,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98554-1_5
71