FLOW CHEMISTRY
SpinPro ( above ) & its mechanism below )
best done in flow . Typically the total production is a hybrid solution . From our experience we conclude that the advantages for flow are :
• Lower safety investments
• Reduced footprint
• Simplified or reduced work-up steps
• More efficient use of energy
• Easy and fast start-up , shutdown and cleaning , reducing turnaround time
• Reduction of operator handling
Case study
For continuous processes at lab- , pilot- and production-scale , many different reactors are used , ranging from simple T-pieces and coils to complex reactor designs . As well as in-house made reactors , several companies offer commercial static and dynamic reactors . Flowid ’ s SpinPro dynamic flow reactors handle fast , exothermic , multi-phase reactions between immiscible liquids , liquids and gases , and precipitation and emulsification reactions . The residence time in the
SpinPro is controlled by flow and is independent of the required mixing . To remove the generated heat , the SpinPro has integrated heat transfer . In cooperation with Albemarle , a major speciality chemicals company specialised in lithium-based chemistry , Flowid developed a nextphase technology that gives easy and safe operation , combined with higher-yield production . Organometallic reactions involving highly reactive organolithium reagents are widely used in organic synthesis . However , the use of such organometallics in batch mode on a pilot and industrial scale is challenging for safety reasons and frequently requires expensive cryogenic process conditions . A change to continuous processing in flow mode can provide major advantages for process safety and economics . We compared static and dynamic flow reactor technologies for two important butyllithiumand hexyllithium-enabled transformations : deprotonations and bromine-lithium exchange reactions . In the flow mode , the observed reactions could be carried out under convenient conditions , the deprotonation reaction at ambient temperature instead of -78 ° C . The SpinPro has been shown to ensure robust performance , as it tolerates precipitations and provides excellent mass transfer conditions . Flow process technology using concentrated organolithium products provides benefits for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical intermediates , agrochemical products and speciality chemicals .
Conclusion
Continuous manufacturing is a proven and scalable technology , from laboratory devices for screening purposes , to highcapacity production . With chemistry and engineering knowledge , in combination with experience and good customer cooperation , complete solutions have been installed in pharmaceutical and chemical factories all over the world . The main drivers for ‘ going with the flow ’ are safety , reduced capex and lower opex . •
Wouter Stam
FLOWID k + 31 6 24 67 97 74 J info @ flowid . nl j www . flowid . nl
40 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981