Prototype for chemical analysis and process intensification that is useful for research and teaching

Abstract

This work describes the design, manufacturing and testing of a detection system useful to be applied with microTAS or other compact equipment, such as those needed for Process Intensification in Chemical Engineering. The detection is carried out by a Quartz Microbalance (QCM), based on Piezoelectric Quartz Crystals (PQC) of multiple frequencies, from tens of kHz to almost GHz. With this instrument, it is possible to detect particles and droplets in a gaseous flow, as well as vapors of volatile organic compounds. The system allows simultaneous measurement at five different points, and due to its modularity, such points can be positioned several centimeters apart from each other. The use in teaching is favored not only because of its low cost and modularity, and also due to its portability, i.e., its small size.