2. Principles

Matter and energy transformation processes involve multiple coupled phenomena on different spatial and temporal scales. The slowest processes have the longest characteristic times, reflecting the influence of limiting phenomena. In practice, these limitations can be partially overcome by intensifying transfers. Another solution is to considerably increase the specific transfer surface area by reducing the characteristic size of the flow, which is why intensification through miniaturization is one of the fastest-growing approaches .

Designing an intensified process means designing chemical reactors with scales adapted to physico-chemical phenomena (more or less rapid) rather...