Method for performing fed-batch operations in small volume reactors

A method of forming a product in a reaction site and controlling fluid volume in the site, comprising:

• providing a reaction site having a reaction site volume of less than 2 mL and containing a first volume of fluid including a reactant, wherein the first volume is greater than 80%, but less than 95%, of the reaction site volume;
• forming a product from the reactant in the reaction site;
• introducing a second volume of fluid into the reaction site;
• and
• removing a portion of fluid from the reaction site such that the volume of fluid remaining in the reaction site, after removing the portion of fluid and introducing the second volume, is greater than 80% but less than 95% of the reaction site volume.

A method of forming a product in a reaction site and controlling fluid volume in the site, comprising:

• providing a reaction site having a reaction site volume and containing a first volume of fluid including a reactant;
• forming a product from the reactant in the reaction site;
• removing from the reaction site a portion of fluid, homogenous with respect to fluid remaining in the reaction site after removal, such that the concentration of the reactant in the portion removed is substantially equivalent to the concentration of the reactant in the fluid remaining in the reaction site after removal;
• and
• introducing a second volume of fluid into the reaction site, wherein the second volume is substantially equivalent to the volume of the portion removed so as to maintain the first volume in the reaction site.

A method of forming a product in a reaction site and controlling fluid volume in the site, comprising:

• providing a reaction site having a reaction site volume of less than 2 mL and containing a first volume of fluid including a reactant;
• forming a product from the reactant in the reaction site;
• removing a portion of fluid from the reaction site;
• introducing a second volume of fluid into the reaction site, wherein the second volume is substantially equivalent to volume of the portion removed so as to maintain the first volume in the reaction site;
• and
• maintaining a substantially constant level of shear during the course of forming the product, wherein the substantially constant level of shear is non-zero.