Engineers get right reaction

Researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University are helping a Scottish firm to revolutionise the chemical industry with the development of the world’s fastest industrial-scale batch reactor.

Thanks to academics in the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Scottish chemical engineering firm Process Technology Strategic Consultants (PTSC) has developed the PI QFlux batch reactor.

The reactor produces chemical products much faster than traditional batch reactors while using far less energy. In a recent large-scale test carried out in Japan, it has proven to be four times quicker than other batch reactors while using 50% less energy than traditional technologies.

Professor Don McGlinchey and his team carried out research work on heat transfer through particulate materials, which provided information used in the design of PTSC’s reactor.

The revolutionary batch reactor has the potential to dramatically improve energy efficiency in the chemicals sector, which is the world’s second biggest industrial emitter of Co2. In a significant difference to traditional batch reactors, the PI QFlux can operate at zero carbon when using green sources of electricity.

Professor McGlinchey said: “With energy prices currently at a premium, the efficiencies PI QFlux batch reactors deliver could also cut operating costs for chemical producers.

“Low productivity, poor efficiency and high energy prices are long-standing challenges for chemical manufacturers. The PI QFlux can be retrofitted into existing plant systems to improve the efficiency of ageing chemical facilities. This means that there is a significant national and international market for the PI QFLux with over 500,000 traditional, inefficient batch reactors in operation across the world. It can also be installed in brand new plants.”

The batch reactor was developed as part of an international effort involving specialists from across Scotland, the UK and overseas. The University of Aberdeen joined Glasgow Caledonian University, along with numerous manufacturing partners across Scotland and the UK, to help develop the prototype. Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co Ltd and Aggreko worked with PTSC to create the purpose-built centre in Japan to test the batch reactor in real world conditions. PTSC also received grant support from Scottish Enterprise to develop and test this revolutionary technology.

PTSC Managing Director, Andrew C Wills, said: “We’re delighted with the outcome of the large-scale test of our PI QFlux batch reactor in Japan. The results exceeded our expectations, and we believe our reactor has the potential to be a major disruptor in the chemical industry. We’d like to thank everyone who has supported us and invested in our vision to produce the PI QFLux batch reactor. We’re looking forward to taking it to market and delivering real change in the chemicals industry to make it more efficient and to cut carbon emissions.”