Micro-Reactor System Assembly

Abstract

A micro-reactor system assembly comprises a stack of at least n process modules ( 1 - 6 ), wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, made from a rigid first material and comprising at least one reactive fluid passage ( 1 A, 1 B, 2 A, 3 A, 6 A) for accommodating and guiding a reactive fluid, and at least n+1 heat exchange modules ( 7, 8 ) made from a ductile second material other than said first material and comprising at least one heat exchange fluid passage ( 7 A, 8 A) for accommodating and guiding a heat exchange fluid, wherein each process module ( 1 - 6 ) is sandwiched between two adjacent heat exchange modules ( 7, 8 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A module for a stacked arrangement, micro-reactor system assembly, the module comprising a first plate, a second plate and a structured intermediate plate sandwiched between said first plate and said second plate, said intermediate plate having a fluid passage formed therein, said fluid passage extending between a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port for accommodating and guiding a fluid. 
     
     
         2 . A module according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate plate is a unitary plate having said fluid passages formed therein. 
     
     
         3 . A module according to  claim 2 , wherein said fluid passages open on opposite surfaces of said intermediate plate and are bounded by said first and second plates. 
     
     
         4 . A module according to  claim 1 , wherein said fluid passage comprises a flat passage including curved and/or straight parts to enable a flow of fluid along a tortuous path, said flat passage having a width/height ratio in the range of 1:4 to 1:50. 
     
     
         5 . A module according to  claim 1 , wherein said module is a heat exchange module comprising said first plate, said second plate and said structured intermediate plate sandwiched between said first plate and said second plate, said first plate having a heat exchange fluid inlet port communicating with said fluid passage and said second plate having a heat exchange fluid outlet port communicating with said fluid passage.