Patent ID: 7247276

Claim:
A microreactor for carrying out chemical reactions between a liquid reactant and a gaseous reactant, comprising: (a) a fluid guidance plate comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending elongate open channels, such channels being configured so that when the liquid reactant is introduced into the plurality of open channels, dimensions of said plurality of open channels ensure that a capillary action establishes a capillary thread of the liquid reactant that is retained in said plurality of longitudinally extending elongate open channels, even when the fluid guidance plate is oriented in a vertical position, the liquid reactant being conveyed through the plurality of longitudinally extending elongate open channels by the capillary action when the fluid guidance plate is in a horizontal position, and by the capillary action and a gravitational force when the fluid guidance plate is in a non-horizontal position; and (b) a reaction volume disposed adjacent to the fluid guidance plate, so that the reaction volume is in fluid communication with the plurality of longitudinally extending elongate open channels, so that when the gaseous reactant is introduced into the reaction volume, the gaseous reactant is in fluid communication with the liquid reactant that is retained in and which is being conveyed in said plurality of longitudinally extending elongate open channels, a product being produced by a reaction between the gaseous reactant and the liquid reactant, said product being conveyed through the plurality of longitudinally extending elongate open channels by the capillary action when the fluid guidance plate is in a horizontal position, and by the capillary action and a gravitational force when the fluid guidance plate is in a non-horizontal position.