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.