Practical use of continuous processing in developing and scaling up laboratory processes

Continuous operations can be used for the efficient scale-up of many proces ses that cannot be carried out through batch operations. Rapid reactions wi th reactive intermediates and products can be scaled up in the laboratory u sing continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) and plug flow reactors (PFR) . Continuous processing in small reactors allows for better control of exot hermic processing, creating a larger margin of safety for scale-up. This re view also discusses the advantages of continuous processing for thermochemi cal rearrangements, immobilized catalysts, and microwave, photochemical, el ectrochemical, and sonochemical processes. Many of these continuous operati ons can be performed using equipment readily available for the laboratory, and can be readily scaled up in the laboratory and pilot plant.