Study of the pyrolysis of 2-pinanol in tubular and microreactor systems with reaction kinetics and modelling

This study compares the pyrolysis of cis-2-pinanol to linalool in a mini-channel tubular reactor versus a muti-channel microreactor. The high temperatures (500–650 °C) at which the reaction is conducted results in decomposition of linalool to hydroxyolefins (HOL). In the conventional tubular reactor basic additives are required to suppress the side reactions. We have found that higher conversions and selectivities are possible using a microreactor system, without the need for such additives. Experimental data was used to calculate the reaction kinetics and to obtain relative rates of reaction. This information was used for the mathematical modelling studies using MATLAB® and COMSOL®, thus providing a veritable focal point for optimization. Computer simulations using these models showed good concurrence with experimental data thus validating the models and quantifying the experimental procedure.