℗ 2× Patented Technology

Ultrasound enables new flow chemistry

With several applications in the pharmaceutical industry, fine chemistry, and in sonochemistry. Ultrasonic reactors, or sonoreactors, enable continuous manufacturing in chemical or physical processes, allowing the handling of solids and the improvement of heterogeneous mixtures (gas–liquid–solid, crystallization) in tubes of variable diameter and length with optimal temperature control — from micro-, to capillary and tubular reactors.

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From patented research to industrial applications

In 2022 the Valencian Innovation Agency (AVI) selected this technology for its research-valorisation programme, funding project INUSAL (file INNVA1/2022/36): the design, construction and validation of industrial prototypes for ultrasound intensification of flow processes in the agrifood and pharmaceutical industries. The AVI valorisation programme is co-financed by the European Union.

patents protecting the sonoreactor technology
2024
prototype validated with liquid food products at the AINIA technology centre

Scientifically proven technology

2× patented technology

A unique competitive advantage: two patents protecting our sonoreactor designs.

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Tested at MIT (USA)

Our technology was validated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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Scaled-up designs

Reactor length and diameter can be scaled to your process requirements.

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Sonoreactors in action

Helical capillary sonoreactor units vibrating
Sonoreactor vibrating at low amplitude to fluidize, prevent and solve capillary tubing clogging and blockage problems.
Gas-liquid interface mixing under sonication
Acoustics can enhance mass transfer by several orders of magnitude. The video shows in detail the mixing produced between gas–liquid interfaces when sonicated (source).
Gas-liquid ultrasound mixing in a flow reactor
3.6× reaction improvement! An ultrasound flow reactor enables the scale-up of gas–liquid–solid UV reactions (source).

Optimized sonoreactor designs

Intensified flow chemistry brings the benefits of process intensification, continuous manufacturing, and greener chemistry to the fine chemical industry. However, miniaturized catalytic processes where gas, liquid, and solids are involved had always been impeded by two main drawbacks: multiphase-flow maldistribution (i.e. gas channeling) and clogging of capillary reactors.

Our computer-based prototyping methodology provides the optimum acoustic design to scale up sonoreactors. We are pioneering a new range of chemistry able to:

  • Increase the gas–liquid–solid dispersion ×100 [ref]
  • Handle a high concentration of particles in flow [ref]
Tubular sonoreactor combining several vibration frequencies
Our patented tubular sonoreactors combine several frequencies to maximize process intensification — up to ×100 more mixing.

Research highlights

High-speed microscopic imaging of ultrasound cavitation acting on crystals
High-speed microscopic imaging revealed ultrasound can unclog and prevent the blockage of capillary reactors. Details →
High-power ultrasound fluidizing a micropacked-bed reactor
High-power ultrasound fluidizing micropacked-bed reactors. Details →

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Research Results Transfer Office (OTRI) · University of Alicante
+34 96 590 99 59 · areaempresas@ua.es

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