Since the discovery of the photocatalytic phenomenon by Japanese scientist Akira Fujishima in 1972, photocatalysis has undergone fifty years of development. In recent years, research in photocatalysis has gradually shifted from basic laboratory experiments towards industrial applications. This transition has led to the upgrading of reaction equipment, transforming simple photocatalytic reaction systems in laboratories into large-scale reaction setups that can be directly illuminated by sunlight outdoors.
Due to issues such as limited illuminated surface area, uneven catalyst exposure to light, low heat transfer efficiency, and amplification effects in traditional kettle-type reactors, it has been difficult to achieve industrial-scale photocatalytic applications. The emergence of flat-plate reactors addresses these challenges.
Flat-plate reactors are composed of flat or sheet-like reactor walls, where reactions occur along the flat surface. In contrast, kettle-type reactors have a container-like structure where reactants are completely enclosed. The structure of flat-plate reactors is simpler and thinner, allowing for faster and more uniform heat and mass transfer. This enables better control of reaction temperature, pressure, and transfer rates, leading to more precise reaction control.
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For different reaction systems, the PLR-SPR series of flat-plate photochemical reactors by Perfectlight Technology offers flexible customization options, including reactor and pipeline specifications, materials, flow rates, catalyst bed height, liquid layer height, heat exchange system, gas-liquid separation, and data monitoring. This allows for the customization of the optimal flat-plate reactor for different photocatalytic reaction systems.
Currently, most photocatalytic reactors are operated in kettle-type reactors. However, there are significant differences in design and use between flat-plate reactors and kettle-type reactors. The research results from kettle-type reactors cannot be directly applied to experiments in flat-plate reactors.
To better advance the scale-up application of research results from kettle-type reactors to flat-plate reactors, Perfectlight Technology has introduced the PLR-SPR series of flat-plate photochemical reactors with more refined application scenarios.
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PLR-SPRL Laboratory-scale Flat-plate Photochemical Reactor is compact and suitable for initial experimental conditions exploration, mainly used for preliminary condition screening in photocatalytic reactions, including optimization of catalyst loading, flow rate, and reactor material selection.
Customized project by a research institute
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PLR-SPRF Pilot-scale Flat-plate Photochemical Reactor is larger in size and suitable for mid-term outdoor feasibility validation. It is mainly used for scaled-up verification and outdoor experimental validation after confirming photocatalytic reaction conditions, including optimization of reactor material, heat transfer, mass transfer efficiency, and large-scale catalyst loading process.
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PLR-SPRG Production-scale Flat-plate Photochemical Reactor allows reactors to be serially or in parallel according to an array, achieving large-scale production in the later stage. It is mainly used for the industrial-scale production of photocatalytic reactions.
