Abstract: There is disclosed a reactor apparatus including a support element that is rotatable about an axis and which has a first surface generally centered on the axis. The first surface is adapted for outward radial flow of a thin film of fluid phase reactant thereacross when supplied thereto as the support element is rotated. The support element also has a second surface opposed to the first surface and which is in thermal communication with the first surface. The second surface is provided with a spiral passageway generally centered on the axis and also with means for supplying a heat transfer fluid to the spiral passageway. By providing a spiral passageway for the heat transfer fluid, improved heat transfer from the first surface to the heat transfer fluid is obtained.

Abstract: A reactor apparatus including a support element rotatable about an axis (1) and having a surface (2) generally centred on the axis. The surface (2) is adapted for outward flow of a thin film of a liquid phase reactant thereacross when supplied thereto as the surface (2) is rotated. The reactor apparatus is further provided with a plate or shroud (10) that covers or is coextensive with the surface (2) and defines a gap (14) between the surface and an underside of the plate or shroud (10) so as to allow a gaseous phase flow through the gap (14) and over the thin film of the liquid phase reactant. By constraining the gaseous phase flow over the liquid phase component, especially when the gaseous phase flow is countercurrent to the liquid phase flow, excellent mass transfer between the two phases can be achieved.

Abstract: A capillary reactor distribution device comprising first and second capillary pathways (2, 3) which meet at a junction (5) and a third capillary pathway (4) which leads away from the junction (5), the capillary pathways (2, 3, 4) being dimensioned such that, when first and second immiscible fluids (14, 15) are fed along respectively the first and second capillary pathways (2, 3) under predetermined laminar flow conditions, the first and second fluids (14, 15) chop each other into discrete slugs (16, 17) which pass along the third capillary pathway (4). Molecular mixing between the fluids (14, 15) takes place by way of axial diffusion between adjacent slugs (16, 17) and by way of internal circulation within each slug (16, 17) as the slugs (16, 17) progress along the third capillary pathway (4).

Abstract: A capillary reactor distribution device comprising first and second capillary pathways (2, 3) which meet at a junction (5) and a third capillary pathway (4) which leads away from the junction (5), the capillary pathways (2, 3, 4) being dimensioned such that, when first and second immiscible fluids (14, 15) are fed along respectively the first and second capillary pathways (2, 3) under predetermined laminar flow conditions, the first and second fluids (14, 15) chop each other into discrete slugs (16, 17) which pass along the third capillary pathway (4). Molecular mixing between the fluids (14, 15) takes place by way of axial diffusion between adjacent slugs (16, 17) and by way of internal circulation within each slug (16, 17) as the slugs (16, 17) progress along the third capillary pathway (4).