Energetical analysis of a method for the scale-up of a microwave flow P-esterification by recirculation†

Abstract

In a previous communication, we described a flow chemical microwave implementation, where the reaction mixture is circulated. In this way, the given reactor capacity can be increased by up to ten times without any special modifications. It was investigated how the flow rate affects the required number of cycles, and hence the time required to achieve the maximum conversion. The role of the ionic liquid catalyst, and the effect of the increase in the volume on the outcomes were also studied. In this paper, we analyse further the data obtained from an energetic point of view. It was observed that the power of the magnetron of the microwave reactor is consumed by the sets marked by higher flow rates and by increased volumes. The direct esterification of phenyl-H-phosphinic acid with butyl alcohol, which has been previously reported under microwave conditions, was chosen as a model reaction.