A Review on Microreactor Design for Effective Fischer–Tropsch Process Intensification

Abstract Microreactors have high potential to achieve isothermal reaction conditions, short diffusion lengths as well as narrow residence time distributions, and thus, are very favorable for process intensification. In this review, experiments and simulation experiences on microreactors with cross sections of 10 −2 –10 1 mm for Fischer–Tropsch (FT) Synthesis are summarized, with a focus on reducing temperature and concentration gradients while maintaining a low pressure drop and sufficient FT liquid product removal. Using distinctions between packed‐bed and wash‐coated microreactors, four design aspects including heat transfer, mass transfer, pressure drop, residence, and contact time for microchannel/‐tube and micromonolith/‐structured versions are discussed, and the corresponding dimension, material‐ and operation‐relevant parameters are investigated. Additional attention is also devoted to transferable benefits of microreactors to other syngas‐related processes. Furthermore, limitations and challenges in experiments and simulations are noted, and future directions for investigations of microreactor design are suggested.