PLR-SPRF Small-scale Plate-type Photochemical Reaction Apparatus

The purpose of small-scale experiments is to study process flows and conditions and address engineering problems that cannot be solely solved through calculations in industrial applications. In other words, small-scale equipment is intended to assist in process design for scale-up rather than designing reaction mechanisms.

When verifying laboratory-scale reactors on a pilot-scale device, the following issues need to be considered:

1. Reactor Material

In the laboratory, reactors are typically made from glassware. However, during the scaling-up process, the process may be conducted in systems made of different materials, which can pose issues related to catalyzing or inhibiting the reaction.

2. Heat Impact

The glass reactors used in the laboratory can efficiently dissipate heat generated during the reaction through cooling systems like circulating water or ice baths, which minimally affect the reaction. However, when the reaction system is scaled up, the heat generated during the reaction may not dissipate effectively due to the structure of the larger reactor. This can lead to local overheating, affecting the direction of the reaction and potentially causing side reactions or reverse reactions.

3. Reaction Efficiency

Changes in the reactor can affect mass transfer efficiency, subsequently impacting reaction efficiency and yield.

4. Loading Processes

Pilot-scale experiments provide critical information for the economic feasibility, operating parameters, and safety aspects of the reaction process. For pilot-scale equipment, loading the catalyst onto a substrate can reduce the inconvenience of separating the catalyst from the reaction mixture, thus improving reaction efficiency. Additionally, different methods for loading catalysts on different substrates need continuous optimization to achieve simplicity, safety, and high cost-effectiveness.

Perfectlight Technology has introduced the PLR-SPRF small-scale flat-plate photochemical reaction apparatus for outdoor pilot-scale photocatalytic water decomposition reactions. This equipment helps with process design for scale-up, ultimately achieving large-scale production.

Figure 1: Tsinghua University 0.5 m² & Northern Minzu University 1 m²

The PLR-SPRF small-scale flat-plate photochemical reaction apparatus is mainly composed of reaction modules, liquid driving modules, gas-liquid separation modules, and detection control modules. Each module can be customized to meet the requirements of square meter-scale reactions at the pilot stage.

Features

1. The maximum light-receiving area of a single flat-panel reactor is about 0.5 m² (80×70 cm²), with options for sizes such as 40×40 and 60×60 cm². It can also meet the demand for a 1 m² reaction area using standard interface single flat-panel reactors.

2. By using different support block designs, various substrate materials like non-woven fabric, carbon paper, carbon cloth, high borosilicate glass, and organic glass can be used, meeting the loading requirements of different catalysts.

3. The reaction apparatus comes with a manual injection valve, enabling online detection of products through a gas chromatograph. Gas can also be collected through gas bags or other gas collection devices.

4. The reaction system is controlled by an integrated PLC system, and parameters related to the reaction can be monitored and adjusted by touching the screen, including parameters like reaction flow, reaction pressure, solution pH, and ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential). It also includes monitoring of reaction conditions, such as the total flow rate of the reaction solution, flow rates of individual units, and pressure.

Performance Parameters