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Microreactors - Technology Trends and Opportunities
Frost & Sullivan, Sep 2010, Pages: 86
This research service provides a detailed insight into the overall technology developments in the microreactors domain. The service starts off with an overview of the technology developments followed by a detailed description of the pertinent microreactor application segments substantiated with the key stakeholder activities in this realm. A strategic evaluation of the industrial drivers and challenges has been provided along with a comprehensive evaluation of the overall patents and their impact on specific applications in microreactors. Finally, technology investment opportunities in the pertinent microreactor application sectors has been evaluated to complete the study
Research Overview
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Microreactors--Technology Trends and Opportunities evaluates the investment opportunities for potential investors in the pertinent application sectors of microreactors based on operating margins, technology maturity levels, and comprehensive patent analysis. The study provides an overview of the market scenario and the factors that are aiding or deterring the growth in this market.
Technology Overview
Chemical Industries Gravitate toward Microreactors as Environmental Concerns Intensify
The global chemical industry has been consolidating in the past few years, and process intensification seems to be the buzzword for all the major stakeholders in this space. The advent of microreactors has furthered the scope for various manufacturers to address the growing challenges of margin shrinkage and environmental concerns associated with this industry. There is increasing evidence that certain issues related to mixing such as mass transfer, heat transfer, and hydrodynamics in the conventional batch processes can be easily overcome with the use of microreactors. “Issues with conventional mixing processes have resulted in unnecessary slow transformations that invariably result in the creation of side reactions as well as unwanted products,” notes the analyst of this research service. “The smaller sizes of microreactors or microchanneled reactors ensure that fast reactions occur with reaction kinetics considered to be the main limiting factor.”
The advent of microreactors has also made it easier to conduct one-step reactions. Hence, the conventional chemical reactions that produce by-products and waste products could easily be utilized in microreactors to eliminate these alternate reactions, thereby preparing high-quality end products. Moreover, the fast reaction rates ensure higher yields of up to 100 percent with high quality and no side reactions. Product quality is also enhanced through the accurate control of operation parameters such as pressure, temperature, space velocities, and others.
The scope for microreactors in fuel and chemical processing is high. However, the non-availability of any commercial demonstration unit that could be easily retrofitted to an existing facility prevents manufacturers from taking a huge financial risk at their facilities. The risk factor becomes quite high due to the high capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) associated with their manufacturing, and any negligent condition could alter their margins in a substantial manner. “Pilot-scale units have been developed in the biomass-to-liquid and gas-to-liquid processes where prime importance will be accorded to resolution of the problems associated with retrofitting of microreactors to the existing facility,” says the analyst. “Moreover successful deployment of processes involving microreactors is likely to spur the oil and gas industry to tap the potential of process intensification equipment.”
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