Conclusion and Final Remarks

Abstract

Micro process engineering at the interface of (at least) chemistry, process engineering, and microsystems engineering provides good opportunities to introduce new possibilities and options in many application fields. The basic features of integrated and enhanced transfer phenomena and small dimensions are explained and illustrated in this work. It reinforces ideas and concepts from many areas with the goal of collecting and introducing elegant solutions and methods into new research and development fields. Their superior transport characteristics are the main motivation to use microstructured devices in mixing, heat exchange, and/or chemical reaction applications. Micro process engineering can work with controlled fluid dynamics, short residence time, and its narrow distribution in continuous processes, as well as short diffusion paths. The accurate control of diffusion length and time, convective transport, and reaction kinetics allow short reaction times for high yield and selectivity in complex chemical reactions. The typical ranges can lead to transient effects, such as flow frequencies and temperature cycling, which are used for new process windows and routes with reactant concentrations or temperature. Chemical reactions can be processed at their kinetic limits.