Inrad, Inc.

Dow Firnberg

James R Fehlner

The photoconversion of steroids is carried out in microreactors to yield desired products, while limiting the formation of undesirable byproducts. The steroid reactant is combined with a microreactor such as solid particles having controlled spaces of appropriate size to provide stereochemical control over the reaction. Appropriate catalyst particles include silica and zeolitic material. The reaction can be conducted in a fluidized bed reactor and the formation of undesirable byproducts can be effectively limited.

Photoconversion of steroids in microreactors

A rotating fluidized bed reactor in which inert solid particles are held in place by centrifugal forces. The reactor includes a rotating porous bed vessel drum within a plenum vessel and the drum rotates to hold the solid particles at the side thereof. Gas is introduced through the walls of the drum and can be drawn off at the top. An electromagnetic radiation source can be included within the drum for promoting photochemical reactions. The solid particles can be inert particles that are loaded with reactant which reacts with the gas stream and/or from the electromagnetic radiation. In other embodiments of the invention, the particles do not contain reactant and reactant is provided within the gas stream only. Such a rotating bed reactor is suitable for use with both batch and continuous flow through processes.

Growing community of inventors

Creskill, NJ, United States of America

Dow Firnberg