US 2006/0234381 A1 · SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING OPTIMAL REACTION PARAMETERS USING CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING PROCESS

Abstract

A reaction system enables a plurality of optimization experiments for a reaction to be performed continuously, to enable optimal reaction parameters to be determined. Dilution pumps are included to automatically vary the solvent mixed with reactants so a concentration of each reactant can be selectively varied. The reactants are introduced into a reaction module selectively coupled to residence time chambers or directly to an analytical unit. The analytical unit determines the yield and/or quality for each optimization experiment, enabling optimal parameters to be determined. Residence time chambers can be employed sequentially to enable total residence time to be varied. The controller performs as many experiments as required to enable each parameter to be varied according to a predefined testing program and can redefine a testing program based on the results from previous experiments. At least two reaction parameters can be varied according to periodic functions to further enhance analytical efficiency.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method for using a continuously running system to determine at least one optimal reaction parameter for a reaction to produce a desired product, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying at least one reaction parameter to be varied;
(b) for each reaction parameter, identifying a plurality of values to be assigned to the reaction parameter;
(c) selecting a baseline value for each reaction parameter from the plurality of values identified for each reaction parameter;
(d) using the baseline values to generate the desired product in a continuously running reaction system;
(e) determining at least one of a quantity and a quality of the desired product generated using the baseline values;
(f) changing the baseline value for at least one reaction parameter, thereby affecting the desired product being produced by the continuously running system;
(g) determining at least one of a quantity and a quality of the desired product generated using the at least one baseline value that was changed;
and
(h) comparing the at least one of the quantity and the quality of the desired product generated before changing the at least one of the baseline value with a corresponding at least one of the quantity and the quality of the desired product generated after the step of changing, to determine the at least one reaction parameter responsible for generating the highest of at least one of the quantity and the quality of the desired product.

6 more elements

A method for using a continuously running reaction optimization system to determine at least one optimal reaction parameter for a reaction to produce a desired product, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying at least one reaction parameter to be varied;
(b) identifying a baseline value for each reaction parameter;
(c) using the baseline values to generate the desired product in a continuously running reaction optimization system;
(d) determining at least one of a quantity and a quality of the desired product generated using the baseline values;
(e) changing the baseline value for at least one reaction parameter, thereby affecting the desired product being produced by the continuously running system;
(f) determining at least one of a quantity and a quality of the desired product generated using the at least one baseline value that was changed;
and
(g) comparing the at least one of the quantity and the quality of the desired product generated before changing the at least one of the baseline value with a corresponding at least one of the quantity and the quality of the desired product generated after the step of changing, to determine the at least one reaction parameter responsible for generating the highest of at least one of the quantity and the quality of the desired product.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for determining optimal reaction parameters using continuously running process

Life of this patent

System and method for determining optimal reaction parameters using continuously running process

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21