Reaction Calorimetry in Continuous Flow Mode: A New Approach for the Thermal Characterization of High Energetic and Fast Reactions

Abstract

A new method for the calorimetric characterization of high-energetic, fast reactions in flow mode was developed. The use of an engineered flow reactor in combination with a process modeling software allowed the deconvolution of the reaction enthalpy from space-resolved temperature profiles. The new procedure was verified in a comparison with a conventional batch calorimeter and subsequently implemented for the thermal characterization of an organolithium flow process. The information collected for this reaction successfully supported a scale-up to the pilot plant. Overall, the new approach resulted in being superior when compared with established procedures, enabling the generation of precise calorimetric data in an accurate scale-down flow device.