Printer Friendly Version3/16 - Dow/Union Carbide Reaction Engineering and Catalysis Seminar Series honoring Jean Cropley
Dr. Jan J. Lerou
Manager, Experimental Operations
Velocys, Inc.
7950 Corporate Boulevard
Plain City, OH 43064
ABSTRACT
Today, it is generally accepted that microchannel architecture offers the potential to improve the performance of a wide range of chemical processes. However, this was not always so. Many researchers understood that increasing the surface area inside process equipment improved both mass and heat transfer, but the application of this knowledge was constrained by the limits of conventional processing hardware. Leveraging economies-of-scale was the primary tactic used by the commodity chemical industry to lower the cost of production. Specialty chemical producers at the other hand thought batch processes and reusable equipment was the only path to profitability. In 1995, Wolfgang Ehrfeld launched microchannel process technology into the modern era by organizing a workshop on “Microsystem technology for chemical and biochemical reactors.” Now, a wide range of process technologists realize the demonstrated and potential benefits of microchannel process technology. Further evidence of the foothold microchannel technology is gaining in the chemical process industry is the emergence of commercial entities, including Velocys.
After a short review of the past realizations of microchannel technology the focus will be on its future. The increased awareness of the benefits of this process technology sets the stage for a proliferation of microchannel applications in the future. The wide ranging applications include economically advantaged commodity chemical production, distributed generation of hazardous chemicals near their point of use, and continuous processing of pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals.
NRCCE Assembly Room B
A small reception will be held in the NRCCE Atrium following seminar
Questions or Directions call: 304-293-2111, ext. 2418.
03/16/2007
     
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