US 2003/0156989 A1 · Parallel semicontinuous or continuous reactors

Abstract

Parallel semi-continuous or continuous reactors are disclosed. The parallel reactors preferably comprise four or more reaction vessels. The reaction vessels are preferably small volume reaction vessels, preferably pressure reaction vessels, and/or preferably integral with a common reactor block. The reaction vessels can comprise shaft-driven stirrers. At least two, preferably at least three or at least four liquid feed lines can provide selective fluid communication between each of the reaction vessels and one or more liquid reagent sources. Additional features, suitable in connection with parallel reactors or with single reaction vessels are also disclosed.

Claims85

Dependent claims

A parallel, semi-continuous or continuous, pressure reactor comprising a reactor block comprising four or more semi-continuous or continuous reaction vessels for containing a liquid reaction mixture, each of the four or more reaction vessels being pressurizable to a pressure of not less than about 50 psig,

four or more shaft-driven impellers corresponding to the four or more reaction vessels for stirring the reaction mixtures, and
at least four liquid feed lines in selectable fluid communication with each of the four or more reaction vessels, each of the at least four liquid feed lines being in fluid communication with one or more liquid reagent source vessels, such that one or more liquid reagents can be selectively fed from the one or more source vessels to each of the four or more reaction vessels during a reaction under reaction conditions.

A parallel, semi-continuous or continuous, pressure reactor comprising

a reactor block comprising a base block and a header block, the base block comprising eight or more wells, each of the eight or more wells containing a removable reaction vessel for containing a liquid reaction mixture, the reaction vessels having a volume of not more than about 1 liter, the header block being removably positioned over the base block for access to the reaction vessels and for forming eight or more pressurizable reaction cavities that include the eight or more wells containing the reaction vessels, the reaction cavities being pressurizable to a pressure of not less than about 100 psig,
eight or more shaft-driven impellers corresponding to the eight or more reaction vessels for stirring the reaction mixtures, the eight or more shaft-driven impellers being supported by the header block,
at least four liquid feed lines in selectable fluid communication with each of the eight or more reaction vessels, each of the at least four liquid feed lines being in fluid communication with one or more liquid reagent source vessels, and
eight or more modular feed-line subassemblies, each of the eight or more feed-line subassemblies being adapted to releasably engage the header block, to sealingly support the at least four liquid feed lines, and to provide the at least four liquid feed lines to each of the eight or more reaction vessels through a feed-line subassembly receiving port formed in the header block.

1 more element

A method for effecting chemical reactions in parallel in a parallel, semi-continuous or continuous reactor, the method comprising

providing a parallel reactor, the reactor comprising four or more semi-continuous or continuous reaction vessels, four or more liquid reagent source vessels, and at least four liquid feed lines providing selectable fluid communication between the four or more liquid reagent source vessels and the four or more reaction vessels,
initiating a chemical reaction in each of the four or more reaction vessels under reaction conditions,
feeding the four or more liquid reagents into the four or more reaction vessels during the reaction under the reaction conditions, and
controlling, for each of the reaction vessels,
a total volume of each of the liquid reagents being fed to the reaction vessel during the reaction, the total volume being the same or different as compared between different reagents,
a number of stages in which the total volume for each of the liquid reagents are fed to the reaction vessel during the reaction, the number of stages being the same or different as compared between different reagents,
a stage volume defined by a percentage of the total volume associated with each of the stages for each of the liquid reagents, the stage volume being the same or different as compared between different stages for each of the liquid reagents,
a feed sequence defined by a relative order in which the stages for each of the liquid reagents are fed to the reaction vessel during the reaction, and
a temporal profile associated with feed addition to the reaction vessel for each of the stages for each of the liquid reagents, the temporal profile being defined for each stage by a number of feed increments in which the stage volume is added to the reaction vessel, and the period of time in which the stage volume is added to the reaction vessel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Parallel semicontinuous or continuous reactors

Life of this patent

Parallel semicontinuous or continuous reactors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims85