Calcium carbonate precipitation using new segmented flow tubular reactor

A new segmented flow tubular reactor for the continuous production of powders was used to synthesize calcium carbonate by precipitation. This new reactor uses a nonmiscible phase (air in most cases) to create individual microvolumes of the reacting mixture or suspension ensuring that a plug-flow regime is maintained. In a microvolume, poor micromixing can be avoided and the homogeneity in reaction conditions is increased better than in larger volumes, leading to a better control of powder characteristics. Calcium carbonate with controlled characteristics could be precipitated continuously using this new segmented flow tubular reactor. Pure calcite could be obtained in the tubular reactor by segmenting a Ca2+ solution with a reactive CO2/NH3 gas mixture. This synthesis process is very promising for industrial production since the scale-up should easily be achieved by multiplying the number of tubes working in parallel.