A catalytic reactor designed at the University of Bath, U.K., offers a fast and efficient means of manufacturing chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Its movement likened to that of a record player, the spinning disc mesh reactor (SMDR) taps into centrifugal forces generated by rotation to foster rapid, consistent and repeatable reactions. Chemicals and enzymes The reactor is designed for quicker, safer and more sustainable production of chemicals. Source: University of Bathinteract on a spinning cloth-covered plate to synthesize the desired compound. Enzymes are embedded in the woolen cloth disc to prevent shearing or degradation and to facilitate optimal contact with a chemical substrate. The arrangement extends the service life of the cloth disc to improve process economics and sustainability.

The modular design features a single shaft on which discs can be stacked. The discs can be switched in and out quickly, creating flexibility and scope for batch production and enabling the manufacture of different types of chemicals.

University spinoff SMDR Ltd has received £68,500 in funding from Innovate UK to commercialize the system and market it to pharmaceutical companies following its 12-year development.