Institute of Chemical Engineering

Head

prof. dr hab. inż. Julita Mrowiec-Białoń

Staff

prof. dr hab. inż. Andrzej B. Jarzębski

dr inż. Agnieszka Ciemięga, assistant professor

dr inż. Katarzyna Maresz, assistant professor

dr Janusz J. Malinowski, research and technical specialist

dr inż. Komal Aziz, assistant professor

Current research activities

Engineering of monolithic microreactors for continuous catalytic processes

The research focuses on microreactors based on silica monoliths with a precisely engineered porous architecture, featuring a continuous network of transport macropores (10–100 µm) and an extensive mesopore system. A key feature of these materials is their low flow resistance. Moreover, the tortuous macropore structure of the monoliths significantly enhances mass and heat transfer compared with conventional microreactors based on straight channels. The high specific surface area of silica enables the design of catalytic properties by controlling the introduction of active centers with the desired concentration and uniform distribution. Active sites may also be incorporated during monolith synthesis. The objective of the research is to develop novel catalytic systems, to examine the effects of different types of active sites and their mutual interactions in sequential chemical reactions—including those proceeding via domino pathways—and to intensify the conversion of substrates into complex chemical compounds. The results obtained to date include the development of a wide range of microreactors incorporating acidic, basic, oxidative, reductive, and bifunctional active sites. The high efficiency and selectivity of the proposed systems have been demonstrated in esterification reactions, selective oxidation of organic compounds, Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction, Knoevenagel condensation, and tandem deacetalization–Knoevenagel condensation processes. An important aspect of the ongoing research is the investigation of microreactor hydrodynamics.