Ultrasound is an effective way to speed up chemical catalysis claims Hielscher
In many chemical manufacturing processes catalysis is involved in increasing the reaction rate.
During the sonication of liquids, the acoustic wavelength usually ranges between 110 and 0.15 mm for frequencies of 18kHz and 10Mhz.
This is significantly higher than those of molecular dimensions and the effects of sonication are mostly generated by the ultrasonic cavitation in liquids.
As a result Hielscher recommends that ultrasonic irradiation is used to prepare catalysts.
This is because a heterogeneous catalysis is limited to the phase boundary- the only place where the reagent and the catalyst are present.
The company highlights that the exposure of the reactants and the catalyst is a key factor for many multi-phase chemical reactions.
Using an in-line ultrasonic reactor made by Hielscher, fine particles or droplets can be achieved during the initial mixing of the reactants and the catalyst in a very short time and at high flow rates.
The method can also be used for high viscosity materials.
