Characterisation of hydrodynamic conditions in 3D printed microreactor: application in dyes decolonization

Hydrodynamic characterisation of microreactor systems is important for the microreactors application and construction improvement and it can be used for the prediction of system behaviour. Pressure drop and Reynolds number was determined in the wide range of process conditions (residence time 60-7.5 s, the flow rates 0.2-2.0 ml min-1 and microreactor length 1-100 cm). Pressure drop increase with the microreactor channel length and flow rates incensement and it was in the ranging between 25.50 and 142.16 kPa m-1. Significant changes of pressure were observed in the last section of microreactor. Reynolds number was in the range of 7-127. Hydrodynamic condition was characterised by dispersion model. The obtain Bodenstain numbers were in the range of 150-600. Using simple criteria for microchanels hydrodynamic characterisation and experimental results plug-flow conditions with the relatively small axial dispersion determine hydrodynamic properties in the constructed microreactor. These characteristics can be used for the appropriate microreactor application and enhancement of microreactor performance. In the introduction some example of the different 3D printing technologies will be overview and advantages of PolyJet matrix 3D printing Multi-Material Technology apostrophized as promising one for microreactor manufacturing.