Reagent distributor for a milli-structured chemical reactor

Abstract

The invention relates to a reagent distributor (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) for a milli-structured chemical reactor (100, 500), the milli-structured chemical reactor comprising an intake face (130, 530) and a plurality of reaction channels (110, 510). The distributor has mixing chambers, a first distribution network for distributing the first reagent (A) in the mixing chambers, and a second distribution network for distributing the second reagent (B) in the mixing chambers, the first distribution network and the second distribution network being separate and each forming a three-dimensional channel network. The invention is particularly applicable to the case where the first reagent (A) is in the gaseous state and the second reagent (B) is in the liquid state.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Reagent distributor for a milli-structured chemical reactor technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a reagent distributor for a millistructured chemical reactor, and an assembly comprising a millistructured reactor and the distributor according to the invention. The distributor and the assembly according to the invention are particularly suited to continuous chemistry processes. Technological background

[0002] Continuous chemistry processes, particularly for the synthesis of molecules, have recently seen significant developments in fields as varied as health, cosmetics, perfumes, and green chemistry.

[0003] Continuous chemistry processes utilize millistructured reactors, in which the channels for the chemical reaction have diameters of less than 10 mm. These millistructured reactors offer numerous advantages. They enable excellent heat exchange with the reactants, which is essential for intensified processes involving exothermic reactions, for example. Furthermore, millistructured reactors allow for precise control of the residence time distribution of the reactants within the reactor, thus ensuring consistent reaction kinetics throughout the entire production run.

[0004] It emerges that continuous chemistry processes are recognized as having many advantages in terms of process safety, environmental protection and the purity of the products obtained.

[0005] However, while continuous chemistry in milli-structured reactors has largely proven itself in laboratory applications, its use for large-scale production remains more limited.

[0006] Two strategies are known for scaling up production with these milli-structured reactors.

[0007] One approach is to increase the diameter of the reaction channels. This method can yield satisfactory results when the chemical reaction is not too demanding. However, on a large scale, it deviates from the principle of millistructured reactors. This can, in some cases, lead to risks in terms of heat exchange capacity or residence time distribution.

[0008] A second strategy involves maintaining the millimeter scale of the reaction channels and increasing the number of channels connected in parallel. This second approach is very attractive because the reaction conditions remain unchanged at both small and large scales. However, it requires the development of a distributor to ensure that the reactant flux is distributed equally between each channel.

[0009] We know of distributors in which the flow distribution is achieved by dichotomy. For this purpose, the distributor comprises a succession of T-shaped channels, each "T" forming a branch separating the reagent flow.

[0010] The publication “Characteristics of numbering-up and flow distribution of multichannel microreactor with 2-D constructal inlet distributors” by W. Guo et al. Chemical Engineering Science, Vol. 299, 2024, 120495, ISSN 0009-250 describes a two-dimensional distributor in which the succession of branches extends along a plane. This approach yields satisfactory results, but it leads to large distributors in order to maintain a minimum distance between successive branches, which is preferable for good distribution. Millistructured reactors used in continuous chemistry are very compact, which significantly reduces their industrial footprint. Therefore, it is preferable for the dimensions of the distributor to correspond to the cross-section of the reactor to which it is connected, which is difficult to reconcile with the dimensions of such a two-dimensional distributor.

[0011] The publication “Numbering-up strategies of micro-chemical processes: Uniformity of distribution of multiphase flow in parallel microchannels”, de Q. Shen et al., Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification, Vol. 132, 2018, pp. 148-159, ISSN 0255-2701, describes a three-dimensional distributor in which the series of branches extends according to a three-dimensional structure. This distributor has a footprint compatible with the cross-section of a reactor, and the distributions obtained with this distributor are generally very satisfactory. However, this assembly is complex and expensive because it is achieved with a very large number of welded conduits. Furthermore, these numerous interconnected channels present risks of fouling and clogging. Regular cleaning and inspection of distributors is essential when this equipment is used for applications in the healthcare field, for example. Such cleaning and inspection are virtually impossible to perform in this distributor. Moreover, the vast majority of chemical reactions involve at least two reactants.It is therefore preferable to separate the distribution of the reactants and then mix them just before introducing them into the reactor, rather than mixing the reactants and then distributing them. However, this distributor does not allow for the separate distribution of two reactants.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need for a reagent distributor for a three-dimensional milli-structured chemical reactor that allows the distribution of two reagents. Summary of the invention

[0013] To this end, the invention proposes a reactant distributor for a milli-structured chemical reactor, the milli-structured chemical reactor comprising an inlet face and a plurality of reaction channels opening onto the inlet face, The distributor is configured to receive a first reagent and a second reagent, the distributor comprising a plurality of plates stacked along a longitudinal direction of the distributor, the plates comprising: - a first end plate which has a first end face intended to be in contact with the intake face of the reactor; - a second end plate which has a second end face facing away from the first end face; and - a mixing plate located between the first end plate and the second end plate, the mixing plate comprising a plurality of mixing chambers configured to receive the first and second reagents and thus mix them, in which the plates together define, between the first end face and the second end face: - a first distribution network for distributing the first reagent into the mixing chambers and a second distribution network for distributing the second reagent into the mixing chambers, the first distribution network and the second distribution network being distinct and each forming a three-dimensional channel network; and - a plurality of output channels, each output channel being in fluid communication with a mixing chamber and opening onto the first end face.

[0014] According to a possible feature of the invention, one of the plates, in particular the second end plate, is made of a porous material, in particular a sintered material, and the first distribution network comprises a plurality of longitudinal channels, each longitudinal channel being parallel to the longitudinal direction and providing fluid communication between the porous material and a mixing chamber.

[0015] According to a possible feature of the invention, the first distribution network comprises at least one layer of first channel branches extending along a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal direction, the first channel branches being arranged so that an incident flow of first reactant is divided so as to distribute the first reactant.

[0016] According to one possible feature of the invention, a said layer of first channel branches is located between the mixing plate and the first end face.

[0017] According to one possible feature of the invention, said first channel branch layer is formed in the first end plate, and an inlet of the first distribution network is located on the first end face.

[0018] According to one possible feature of the invention, said first branch channel layer is formed in a plate adjacent to the first end plate, and an inlet of the first distribution network is located on the first end face.

[0019] According to one possible feature of the invention, the mixing plate comprises a plurality of hollow elements made of a porous material, in particular a sintered material, each hollow element forming a mixing chamber.

[0020] According to one possible feature of the invention, the first distribution network has cross-sectional narrowings between an inlet of the first distribution network and the mixing chambers and / or the second distribution network has cross-sectional narrowings between an inlet of the second distribution network and the mixing chambers.

[0021] According to one possible feature of the invention, the second distribution network comprises at least one layer of second channel branches extending along a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal direction, the second channel branches being arranged so that an incident flow of second reactant is divided so as to distribute the second reactant.

[0022] According to one possible feature of the invention, the second distribution network comprises a plurality of said second branch channel layers, forming a superposition of second branch channel layers, the second branch channel layers being arranged such that from an inlet of the second distribution network, a second reagent flow is divided by each second branch channel layer so as to distribute the second reagent into the mixing chambers.

[0023] According to a possible feature of the invention, said inlet of the second distribution network is located on the second end face.

[0024] According to one possible feature of the invention, said inlet of the second distribution network is located on the first end face and the second distribution network passes through the mixing plate.

[0025] According to one possible feature of the invention, - the distributor includes a separate through channel from the distribution networks and extending from the second end face to the first end face through the mixing plate, so as to conduct the second reactant from the second end face directly to the first end face to have the second reactant heated by the reactor; and - said inlet of the second distribution network is arranged to receive the second reactant heated by the reactor.

[0026] According to one possible feature of the invention, a said layer of second branching channels comprises a single central channel and R radial channels radiating around the central channel, R being a non-zero integer.

[0027] According to one possible feature of the invention, a said layer of second channel branches comprises a plurality of branches, each dividing an incident flow of second reactant into 2 S equal parts, where S is a non-zero integer and S is preferably even. In particular, S is equal to 1 or 2.

[0028] According to one possible feature of the invention, a plate adjacent to the second end plate is detachably fixed to at least one other plate than the second end plate.

[0029] According to one possible feature of the invention, the second end plate and said plate adjacent to the second end plate have fixing holes for fixing at least one handle on the second end face.

[0030] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a reactant distributor as described above and a milli-structured chemical reactor, the milli-structured chemical reactor having an inlet face and a plurality of reaction channels opening onto the inlet face, in which the distributor is coupled to the reactor so that the first end face is abutted against the inlet face of the reactor and so that each outlet channel is in fluid communication with a reaction channel.

[0031] According to one possible feature of the invention, the reactor comprises 2 N reaction channels which open onto the admission face, N being a non-zero integer and N preferably being even.

[0032] According to one possible feature of the invention, the inlet face comprises a central zone, the 2 N reaction channels opening onto the intake face outside the central zone.

[0033] According to one possible feature of the invention, the central zone comprises at least one central channel opening onto the inlet face in the central zone. In particular, the central zone may comprise 2 P central channels, P being a non-zero integer and P being preferably even.

[0034] According to one possible feature of the invention, the 2 N reaction channels, or both N reaction channels and the 2 P central channels form a regular mesh on the intake face, in particular a regular rectangular mesh.

[0035] According to one possible feature of the invention, the reactor comprises Q groups of 2 K reaction channels opening onto the inlet face, the Q groups being rotational images of each other around a center of the inlet face, and Q and K being non-null integers. Q is preferably even. K is preferably even.

[0036] According to one possible feature of the invention, the reactor comprises a peripheral wall defining a volume in which at least some of the plates are embedded, said peripheral wall comprising bypass channels configured to convey the first reagent to said layer of first channel branches.

[0037] According to one possible feature of the invention, the reactor comprises a first feed channel positioned in line with said inlet of the first distribution network to supply the first distribution network with the first reagent. The first feed channel may be one of the central channels mentioned above.

[0038] According to one possible feature of the invention, the reactor includes a second feed channel positioned in line with said inlet of the second distribution network to supply the second distribution network with a second reagent. The second feed channel may be one of the central channels mentioned above.

[0039] According to one possible feature of the invention, - the reactor includes a heating channel positioned in line with the through channel of the distributor so as to receive the second reactant delivered by the through channel and to heat the second reactant in the reactor; and - The second supply channel is arranged to convey the second reagent, heated in the heating channel, to the aforementioned inlet of the second distribution network. The heating channel may be one of the central channels mentioned above.

[0040] The invention also relates to a method for carrying out a chemical reaction between a first reactant and a second reactant using an assembly as described above, the method comprising circulating the first reactant in the first distribution network of the reactant distributor and circulating the second reactant in the second distribution network of the reactant distributor, so that the first reactant and the second reactant are mixed in the mixing chambers of the reactant distributor, and so that the mixture thus obtained flows through the outlet channels of the reactant distributor to the reaction channels of the reactor.

[0041] According to one possible feature of the invention, the first reactant is in the liquid state.

[0042] According to one possible feature of the invention, the first reactant is in a gaseous state.

[0043] According to one possible feature of the invention, the second reactant is in the liquid state. Brief description of the figures

[0044] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. Regarding the accompanying figures:

[0045] [fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a milli-structured chemical reactor.

[0046] [fig. 2] Figure 2 shows a front view of the reactor's intake face.

[0047] [fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the flange of a reagent distributor according to a first embodiment.

[0048] [fig. 4] Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the assembly obtained by coupling the reactant distributor according to the first embodiment to the reactor shown in figure 1.

[0049] [fig. 4A] Figure 4A is a schematic side view of the assembly shown in figure 4.

[0050] [fig. 4B] Figure 4B is a front view of the outlet flange shown in side view in figure 4A.

[0051] [fig. 5] Figure 5 is a partial perspective view analogous to figure 4, with the flange omitted to show the stacking of plates of the reagent distributor.

[0052] [fig. 6] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the stack of plates visible in figure 5.

[0053] [fig. 7] Figure 7 is a front view of one of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0054] [fig. 8] Figure 8 is a front view of another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0055] [fig. 9] Figure 9 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0056] [fig. 10] Figure 10 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0057] [fig. 11] Figure 11 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0058] [fig. 12] Figure 12 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0059] [fig. 13] Figure 13 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0060] [fig. 14] Figure 14 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0061] [fig. 15] Figure 15 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0062] [fig. 16] Figure 16 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0063] [fig. 17] Figure 17 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0064] [fig. 18] Figure 18 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0065] [fig. 19] Figure 19 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 6.

[0066] [fig. 20] Figure 20 is a three-dimensional view showing the distribution networks, mixing chambers and outlet channels which are defined by the plate stacking shown in figure 6.

[0067] [fig. 21] Figure 21 is a three-dimensional view analogous to figure 20, from a different viewing direction.

[0068] [fig. 22] Figure 22 is a three-dimensional view analogous to figure 20, from yet another viewing direction.

[0069] [fig. 23] Figure 23 is a perspective view of the flange of a reagent distributor according to a second embodiment.

[0070] [fig. 24] Figure 24 is a partial perspective view of the assembly obtained by coupling the reactant distributor according to the second embodiment to the reactor shown in figure 1.

[0071] [fig. 24A] Figure 24A is a schematic side view of the assembly shown in figure 24.

[0072] [fig. 24B] Figure 24B is a front view of the outlet flange shown in side view in figure 24A.

[0073] [fig. 25] Figure 25 is an exploded view of the stack of plates of the reagent distributor according to the second embodiment.

[0074] [fig. 26] Figure 26 is a front view of one of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0075] [fig. 27] Figure 27 is a front view of another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0076] [fig. 28] Figure 28 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0077] [fig. 29] Figure 29 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0078] [fig. 30] Figure 30 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0079] [fig. 31] Figure 31 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0080] [fig. 32] Figure 32 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0081] [fig. 33] Figure 33 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0082] [fig. 34] Figure 34 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0083] [fig. 35] Figure 35 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0084] [fig. 36] Figure 36 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 25.

[0085] [fig. 37] Figure 37 is a three-dimensional view showing the distribution networks, mixing chambers and outlet channels which are defined by the plate stacking shown in figure 25.

[0086] [fig. 38] Figure 38 is a three-dimensional view analogous to figure 37, from a different viewing direction.

[0087] [fig. 39] Figure 39 is a three-dimensional view analogous to figure 37, from yet another viewing direction.

[0088] [fig. 40] Figure 40 is a partial perspective view analogous to figure 24, the flange having been omitted to show the stacking of plates of the reagent distributor, the reagent distributor conforming to a variant of the second embodiment.

[0089] [fig. 41] Figure 41 is a perspective view of the plate stack shown in Figure 40, showing handles for manipulating the plate stack.

[0090] [fig. 42] Figure 42 is a perspective view of one of the plates of the plate stack shown in Figure 41, together with fixing elements allowing detachable fixing within the plate stack.

[0091] [fig. 43] Figure 43 is a perspective view of another of the plates in the plate stack shown in figure 41, together with the fasteners visible in figure 42.

[0092] [fig. 44] Figure 44 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembly obtained by coupling a reactant distributor according to a third embodiment to the reactor shown in figure 1.

[0093] [fig. 45] Figure 45 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembly obtained by coupling a reactant distributor according to a fourth embodiment to the reactor shown in figure 1.

[0094] [fig. 46] Figure 46 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the assembly obtained by coupling a reactant distributor according to a fifth embodiment to a reactor.

[0095] [fig. 47] Figure 47 shows a front view of the reactor inlet face visible in figure 46.

[0096] [fig. 48] Figure 48 is a front view of one of the plates in the plate stack visible in figure 46.

[0097] [fig. 49] Figure 49 is a front view of another of the plates in the plate stack visible in figure 46.

[0098] [fig. 50] Figure 50 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack visible in figure 46.

[0099] [fig. 51] Figure 51 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack visible in figure 46. [000100] [fig. 52] Figure 52 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the stack of plates visible in Figure 46. [000101] [fig. 53] Figure 53 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack visible in Figure 46. [000102] [fig. 54] Figure 54 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack visible in Figure 46. [000103] [fig. 55] Figure 55 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the stack of plates visible in Figure 46. [000104] [fig. 56] Figure 56 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the stack of plates visible in Figure 46. [000105] [fig. 57] Figure 57 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack visible in Figure 46. [000106] [fig. 58] Figure 58 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack visible in Figure 46. [000107] [fig. 59] Figure 59 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the plate stack visible in Figure 46. [000108] [fig. 60] Figure 60 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the stack of plates visible in Figure 46. [000109] [fig. 61] Figure 61 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the stack of plates visible in Figure 46. [000110] [fig. 62] Figure 62 is a front view of yet another of the plates in the stack of plates visible in Figure 46. Description of embodiment(s) [000111] In the figures, and unless otherwise specified, identical elements shall bear the same reference symbols. [000112] In the description, and unless otherwise specified, when it is stated that two elements (or more than two elements) have identical dimensions, identical geometries, identical cross-sections, or identical volumes, this statement disregards dimensional tolerances due to manufacturing. [000113] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a millistructured chemical reactor 100, hereinafter referred to as "reactor 100" for convenience. Reactor 100 is adapted to carry out a chemical reaction involving a first reactant A and a second reactant B. More specifically, reactor 100 is adapted to carry out a continuous chemistry process, in which reactor 100 is fed with a continuous flow of reactant A and a continuous flow of reactant B, and the chemical reaction occurs continuously in reaction channels 110 comprising reactor 100. [000114] The reactor 100 comprises a main body 120 through which the reaction channels 110 extend. More specifically, the reaction channels 110 open, on the one hand, onto an inlet face 130 comprising the main body 120, and on the other hand, onto an outlet face which will be described below. [000115] The reaction channels 110 extend parallel to a main direction X of the reactor 100, at least in the vicinity of the inlet face 130. The reaction channels 110 may extend parallel to the main direction X all along the main body 120. In another embodiment, the reaction channels 110 may extend parallel to the main direction X only in the vicinity of the inlet face 130, and have a different geometry further from the inlet face 130, in particular a non-rectilinear geometry. [000116] Figure 1 also shows that the main body 120 may include conduits 190. The conduits 190 extend between the reaction channels 110, for example, orthogonally to the main direction X as shown in Figure 1. The conduits 190 can be used to circulate a heat transfer fluid in the main body 120, and thus regulate the temperature of the main body 120 and therefore the temperature in the reaction channels 110. This is particularly useful when the chemical reaction between reactant A and reactant B is exothermic; in this case, the heat transfer fluid acts as a coolant. In one example, the heat transfer fluid is delivered to the main body 120 by a heat transfer fluid delivery device (not shown) which is coupled to the main body 120 by means of mounting holes 195 in the main body 120. [000117] Figure 2 shows the inlet face 130 in front view parallel to the main direction X and thus allows better visualization of the reaction channels 110. [000118] The reaction channels 110 have a geometry suitable for a milli-structured chemical reactor. In particular, the smallest dimension of the cross-section of the reaction channels 110 is less than or equal to 10 mm. In the example shown in Figure 2, the reaction channels 110 have a cylindrical cross-section that is constant along their entire length. The smallest dimension of the cross-section is then the internal diameter D of the reaction channels 110, which is shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, the reaction channels 110 may have a different geometry, for example, a rectangular or bean-shaped cross-section. Preferably, the reaction channels 110 all have an identical cross-section. [000119] The reaction channels 110 are preferably arranged so as to open onto the inlet face 130 by forming a regular mesh, as shown in Figure 2. [000120] Returning to figure 1, the inlet face 130 is surrounded by a peripheral wall 140 which defines a volume V. The peripheral wall 140 has a plurality of fixing holes 145. [000121] As mentioned above, the chemical reaction between reactant A and reactant B occurs continuously in the reaction channels 110. 11 It is therefore necessary to distribute reactant A and reactant B to the reaction channels 110. For this purpose, the invention proposes to associate with the reactor 100 a reactant distributor (which may be referred to simply as a "distributor" for convenience) which receives reactant A and reactant B, mixes reactant A and reactant B to obtain a mixture M, and delivers the mixture M thus obtained to the reaction channels 110. [000122] A distributor 1000 according to a first embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 22. [000123] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the distributor 1000 includes a mounting flange 1950. The mounting flange 1950 has a mounting wall 1960 with mounting holes 1965. The mounting holes 1965 allow the distributor 1000 to be attached to the reactor 100 via the mounting flange 1950. For this purpose, for example, fasteners (not shown) such as screws are inserted into the mounting holes 1965. More specifically, a fastener inserted into a mounting hole 1965 (see Figures 3 and 4) is housed in a mounting hole 145 (see Figure 1) which is aligned with this mounting hole 1965. The assembly formed by the reactor 100 and the distributor 1000 thus coupled is designated by reference numeral 1 in Figure 4.Alternatively, the 1950 mounting flange can be attached to reactor 100 in other ways as long as the 1000 distributor is detachable from reactor 100. Thanks to the fact that the 1000 distributor is detachable from reactor 100, assembly 1 can easily be reconfigured by replacing or modifying the 1000 distributor as needed, without the need to modify reactor 100. [000124] With reference to Figure 5, the distributor 1000 comprises a stack of plates 1010. Furthermore, with reference to Figure 3, the mounting wall 1960 delimits an internal volume U. When the distributor 1000 is coupled to the reactor 100 as shown in Figure 4, the internal volume U communicates with the volume V (see Figure 1) defined by the peripheral wall 140 of the reactor 100. In Figure 5, the mounting flange 1960 has been omitted to show that at least some of the plates in the stack of plates 1010 are thus embedded in the volume V. If not all the plates in the stack of plates 1010 are embedded in the volume V, the remaining plates are housed in the internal volume U. [000125] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the plate stack 1010 and thus shows the plates 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500, 1550, 1600, 1650 that constitute the plate stack 1010. These plates are stacked along a longitudinal direction L of the distributor 1000, this longitudinal direction L being parallel to the principal direction X of the reactor 100 when the distributor 1000 is coupled to the reactor 100. Thus, the plate stack 1010 comprises a first end plate (here, plate 1050) and a second end plate (here, plate 1650), the other plates being located between the first end plate and the second end plate along the longitudinal direction L. One of the faces 1051 of the plate 1050 constitutes a first end face of the stack of plates 1010 which is abutted against the inlet face 130 when the distributor 1000 is coupled to the reactor 100.Of the two faces of plate 1650, the one which is turned opposite face 1051 constitutes a second end face 1062 of the stack of plates 1010. [000126] The distributor 1000 is particularly suitable for the case where reactant A is in the gaseous state and reactant B is in the liquid state. With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4, reactant A in the gaseous state is delivered to the distributor 1000 via an inlet line 1970 which is connected to the mounting flange 1950 and opens into the internal volume U. With reference to Figure 2, and as will be detailed later, reactant B in the liquid state is delivered to the distributor 1000 via feed channels 150 formed in the reactor 100 and opening onto the inlet face 130. Preferably, the feed channels 150 open onto a central area RC of the inlet face 130, while the reaction channels 110 open outside this central area RC. The central RC zone has been indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2. [000127] With reference to Figure 8, the plate 1100 adjacent to the first end plate 1050 has through holes 1109. Each through hole 1109 defines, at least partially, a mixing chamber configured to receive the first reactant A in the gaseous state and the second reactant B in the liquid state, and thus mix them. The plate 1100 is therefore referred to as the mixing plate 1100 hereafter. Since the holes 1109 are through holes, the mixing chambers defined by the holes 1109 are formed in the thickness of the mixing plate 1100 by passing through the mixing plate 1100. For reasons that will become apparent below, the through holes 1109 preferably have an oblong cross-section in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L. [000128] With reference to Figure 7, the first end plate 1050 has through holes 1059. Each through hole 1059 is located in line with a through hole 1109. Furthermore, each through hole 1059 is located in line with a reaction channel hole 110. And as indicated above, the first end face 1051 of the first end plate 1050 abuts the inlet face 130 of the reactor 100. In this way, each through hole 1059 forms an outlet channel which is in fluid communication with a mixing chamber of the mixing plate 1100 and which opens onto the first end face 1051, to deliver mixture M to a reaction channel 110. [000129] To ensure satisfactory operation of the reactor 100, it is necessary that the reaction conditions be sufficiently homogeneous across all the reaction channels 110. To this end, it is necessary to ensure that the mixture M delivered to the reaction channels 110 is sufficiently homogeneous across all the reaction channels 110, both in terms of the flow rate of mixture M and in terms of the relative proportions between reactants A and B in the mixture M. Since the mixture M is produced in the mixing chambers of the mixing plate 1100, the desired homogeneity of the mixture M delivered to the reaction channels 110 can be obtained by distributing the flow of reactant A and the flow of reactant B equally between the mixing chambers, and this is all the easier since all the mixing chambers have identical volumes and geometries. [000130] For this purpose, the invention proposes that the plates of the plate stack 1010 together define, between the first end face 1051 and the second end face 1062, two distribution networks, one for reactant A in the gaseous state and the other for reactant B in the liquid state, which are connected to the mixing chambers. [000131] The two distribution networks are distinct, in other words they only meet at the mixing chambers of the mixing plate 1100 and thus do not allow mixing between reactant A and reactant B upstream of the mixing chambers. [000132] Each of the two distribution networks forms a three-dimensional channel network. In general, such a three-dimensional channel network may include, in particular: - through holes formed in adjacent and aligned plates, notably to form longitudinal channels parallel to the longitudinal direction L; and / or - grooves and / or openings formed in the thickness of a plate, in particular to form channels extending in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction L.[000133] It is specified that in the example shown in Figure 8, the mixing chambers of the mixing plate 1100 have identical volumes and geometries since the through holes 1109 have identical dimensions. [000134] The first distribution network intended for the first reactant A in the gaseous state is described first. [000135] With reference to Figures 10 to 18, the plates 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500, 1550, 1600 respectively comprise through holes 1220, 1270, 1320, 1370, 1420, 1470, 1520, 1570, 1620. These through holes 1220, 1270, 1320, 1370, 1420, 1470, 1520, 1570, 1620, are aligned by virtue of the geometry of the plates 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500, 1550, 1600. As will be understood by referring to figure 6, each alignment of through holes 1220, 1270, 1320, 1370, 1420, 1470, 1520, 1570, 1620 thus forms a longitudinal channel parallel to the longitudinal direction L and opening into a mixing chamber. [000136] With reference to Figures 5, 6, and 19, the second end plate 1650 is made of a porous material, and its end face 1652 is oriented towards the inlet duct 1970 (see Figures 3 and 4). Furthermore, the second end plate 1650 is in contact with the plate 1600, so that the longitudinal channels provide fluid communication between the porous material and the mixing chambers. Thus, the gaseous reactant A arriving through the inlet duct 1970 passes through the porous material of the second end plate 1650 before entering the longitudinal channels.Since reactant A in its gaseous state has low viscosity, the porosity of the porous material tends to distribute the gaseous reactant A between the longitudinal channels, thus tending to make the flow of gaseous reactant A more homogeneous throughout the longitudinal channels, provided that the gaseous reactant A can distribute itself in a certain free space before passing through the porous material. Here, this free space is the portion of the internal volume U not occupied by the stack of plates 1010. To ensure that this free space is sufficient, a minimum distance can be provided between the inlet of the inlet pipe 1970 and the second end face 1652, in particular a minimum distance of at least 5 mm, preferably at least 10 mm. The porous material of the second end plate 1650 can, in particular, be a sintered material.[000137] In an unshown variant, the mounting flange 1950 does not define an internal volume U, and all the plates in the plate stack 1010 are embedded in the volume V. In another unshown variant, the peripheral wall 140 does not define a volume V; in other words, the inlet face 130 is flush with the peripheral wall 140, and all the plates in the plate stack 1010 are embedded in the internal volume U. In either of these variants, a minimum distance between the inlet pipe 1970 and the second end face 1652 may also be provided. [000138] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the second end plate 1650 could be a perforated plate having a plurality of openings that lead to or near a plate made of the porous material. The operation of the distributor 1000 is identical in this case, except that the reactant A in the gaseous state passes through the perforated plate before passing through the porous material to be distributed among the longitudinal channels. [000139] The through holes 1220, 1270, 1320, 1370, 1420, 1470, 1520, 1570, 1620 advantageously have identical cross-sections. This tends to better ensure that the flow rate of reactant A in the gaseous state is homogeneous throughout all the longitudinal channels. [000140] The second distribution network for the second reactant B in the liquid state is then described. [000141] With reference to Figures 7 to 10, the plates 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350 respectively comprise through holes 1080, 1130, 1180, 1230, 1280, 1330, 1380. These through holes 1080, 1130, 1180, 1230, 1280, 1330, 1380 are aligned by virtue of the geometry of the plates 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350. As will be understood by referring to Figure 6, each alignment of through holes 1080, 1130, 1180, 1230, 1280, 1330, 1380 thus form a longitudinal channel parallel to the longitudinal direction L. As indicated by the reference mark C1 in figure 14, such a longitudinal channel opens into an oblong light 1435 in the plate 1400. With reference to figure 15, this oblong light 1435 is aligned with a through hole 1485 in the plate 1450. [000142] As indicated by reference mark C2 in Figure 16, a through hole 1485 communicates with a T-shaped branch 1540 in the plate 1500. More precisely, the through hole 1485 of the adjacent plate 1450 communicates with the central portion 1541 of the branch 1540 of the plate 1500. Two lateral portions 1542 on either side of the central portion 1541 complete the T-shape of the branch 1540. The lateral portions 1542 are sized so that the flow of reagent B entering through the central portion 1541 is divided equally between the two lateral portions 1542. Thus, the plate 1500 forms a layer of channel branches (namely the branches 1540) extending into the plate plane 1500, this plane being transverse to the longitudinal direction L, and branches 1540 divide the incident flow of reagent B so as to distribute reagent B between the lateral portions 1542. [000143] Returning to Figure 15, a lateral portion 1542 communicates with a through hole 1493 formed in the plate 1450. As indicated by the reference mark C3 in Figure 14, the through hole 1493 communicates with a branch 1440 in the shape of a double "T" which has a branch in the plate 1400. The branch 1440 is analogous to the branch 1540, except that it does not divide the incident flow of reagent B into two equal parts, but into four equal parts. [000144] Returning to Figure 13, a branch 1440 communicates with four through holes 1385 in the plate 1350. As indicated by the reference mark C4 in Figure 12, a through hole 1385 communicates with the central portion 1341 of a double "T" shaped branch 1340 in the plate 1300. Four lobes 1342 complete the double "T" shape of the branch 1340. The branch 1340 is analogous to the branch 1440 and therefore divides the incident flow of reagent B into four equal parts. [000145] With reference to Figure 12, Figure 11 and Figure 10, a branch 1340 communicates via its four lobes 1342 with four through holes 1285, 1235 which respectively comprise the plates 1250, 1200. A set of through holes 1285, 1235 is aligned with a through hole 1109 of the mixing plate. [000146] Thus, the second distribution network for the second reagent B comprises three layers of channel branches represented by plates 1500, 1400, and 1300, forming a superposition of channel branch layers. From an inlet of the second distribution network represented by a feed channel 150, a flow of second reagent B is divided by each layer of channel branches so as to distribute the second reagent B into the mixing chambers. This ensures that each mixing chamber receives a substantially equal flow of second reagent B. [000147] Referring again to Figure 10, each through hole 1220 for the first reactant A is adjacent to a through hole 1235 for the second reactant B. Together with the fact that the through holes 1109 are oblong, this ensures in a very simple way that each mixing chamber receives the first reactant A and the second reactant B as desired. [000148] Referring to Figure 9, the plate 1150 has through holes 1159 with the same cross-section as the through holes 1109. This plate 1150 is made of an elastomeric material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and serves as a sealing plate to provide a seal within the stack of plates 1010. The plate 1150 is optional and may be omitted if desired. Similarly, all or some of the plates 1250, 1350, 1450, and 1550 may be made of an elastomeric material such as PTFE and may be omitted if desired. [000149] The first end plate 1050 can also be made of an elastomeric material such as PTFE to form a sealing plate, which ensures a seal between the stack of plates 1010 and the inlet face 130 of the reactor. [000150] The plates 1050, 1150, 1250, 1350, 1450, 1550 can have a thickness of approximately 1 mm in the absence of any compression along the longitudinal direction L. [000151] The plates 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600 are made of a suitable metal alloy, for example stainless steel such as 316L steel, or of a nickel alloy such as Hastelloy (registered trademark) C276. The various through holes, branches, slots, etc. described above in the plates 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600 can be made by machining, for example by laser machining or by waterjet cutting. [000152] Plates 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600 can have a thickness between 2 mm and 10 mm. [000153] The second end plate 1650, made of porous material, can have a thickness of between 2 mm and 10 mm. [000154] Figures 20 to 22 are three-dimensional views showing the first distribution network, the second distribution network, the mixing chambers, and the outlet channels obtained using the distributor 1000 described above. These include the inlet line 1970, the second end plate 1650 made of porous material, and the reaction channels 110. The longitudinal conduits AL of the first distribution network, which supplies the first reactant A in the gaseous state, are also visible. [000155] The respective directions of flow of reactants A, B and mixture M are indicated by the dashed arrows in the figures. [000156] Referring to Figure 22, in a mixing chamber defined by a through hole 1109 (and optionally extended by a through hole 1159), the first reactant A in the gaseous state enters through a longitudinal conduit AL and the second reactant B in the liquid state enters through a channel defined by two aligned through holes 1285, 1235. Reactants A and B mix in the mixing chamber, and then the mixture M exits through an outlet channel defined by a through hole 1059 before joining a reaction channel 110. [000157] With reference to Figures 8, 10, and 22, the through holes 1235 have, on the one hand, a cross-section strictly smaller than that of the through holes 1109, and on the other hand, a cross-section strictly smaller than that of the lobes 1342. This creates a narrowing of the cross-section in the second distribution network for reactant B, upstream of the mixing chambers following the direction of flow of reactant B. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations carried out for the applicant have established that such a narrowing of the cross-section tends to further homogenize the mixing flow rates M exiting the distributor 1000 and entering the reaction channels 110. [000158] As will be understood by referring to Figures 6, 20 and 21, the second distribution network for the second reactant B passes through the mixing plate 1100, causing the second reactant B to flow through the mixing plate 1100 away from the first end face 1051 before returning to the mixing plate 1100. Because the second reactant B is supplied via the feed channels 150, it can be preheated or precooled in the reactor 100 to reach the temperature before the reaction. [000159] A possible way of circulating the second reactant B through the reactor 100 to the feed channels 150 is now described, which improves the temperature attainment of the second reactant B before the reaction. [000160] Figure 4A is a schematic side view of assembly 1 of Figure 4. With reference to Figure 4A, the reactor 100 has, on the side opposite the inlet face 130 along the main direction X, an outlet face 230. Not shown in Figure 4A, the reaction channels 110 open onto the outlet face 230. An outlet flange 301 is fixed to the reactor 100 against the outlet face 230. [000161] Figure 4B shows the outlet flange 301 along the principal direction X and therefore in front view. The outlet flange 301 has through holes 310. Each through hole 310 is in continuity with a reaction channel 110 to allow the exit of the mixture M that has reacted in the reactor 100. Thus, with reference to Figure 4B and Figure 2, the through holes 310 are formed outside a central zone RC3 of the outlet flange 301, this central zone RC3 being in continuity with the central zone RC of the inlet face 130. [000162] In the center of the central zone RC3, the outlet flange 300 has a central inlet channel 320. The inlet channel 320 is in continuity with four central channels 155 of the reactor 100, these central channels 155 opening into the center of the central zone RC. [000163] With reference to figures 7, 8, 9 and 10, the plates 1050, 1100, 1150, 1200 have oblong lights 1090, 1140, 1190, 1240 in their center. Each oblong lumen 1090, 1140, 1190, 1240 is in continuity with a central channel 155. Thus, the second reagent B entering through the central inlet channel 320 (see figure 4B) passes through the central channels 155 (see figure 2) and then through the oblong lumens 1090, 1140, 1190, 1240. [000164] Furthermore, with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 12, the plate 1250 and the mixing plate 1300 are solid, that is to say, not perforated, in line with the oblong openings 1090, 1140, 1190, 1240. Consequently, with reference to Figure 10, the second reactant B, which enters an oblong opening 1240, in the region indicated by the marker J in Figure 10, is forced to reverse direction. The second reactant B therefore returns towards the reactor 100, in the region indicated by the marker K in Figure 10, passing back through the oblong openings 1190, 1140, 1090. The second reactant B re-enters the reactor 100 via channels 160 (see Figure 2) adjacent to the central channels 155. [000165] With further reference to Figure 4B, the outlet flange 320 has oblong slots 330 formed in the central area RC3. Each oblong slot 330 is in continuity with a channel 160. Furthermore, a shutter (not shown) is positioned in continuity with the oblong slots 330. Consequently, the second reactant B, which enters an oblong slot 330 via a channel 160 in the region indicated by marker K1 in Figure 4B, is forced to reverse direction. Since each oblong slot 330 is also in continuity with a feed channel 150, the second reactant B therefore returns to the feed channels 150 in the region indicated by marker K2 in Figure 4B. Thus, the second reactant B arriving through the central inlet channel 320 makes two successive round trips in the reactor 100 before arriving in the distributor 1000 via the feed channels 150 (see figure 2, figure 21). [000166] A distributor 2000 according to a second embodiment will now be described with reference to figures 23 to 39. [000167] With reference to Figure 23 and Figure 24, the distributor 2000 includes a mounting flange 2950. This mounting flange 2950 is similar to the mounting flange 1950 and thus comprises a mounting wall 2960 which has mounting holes 2965 for attaching the distributor 2000 to the reactor 100 via the mounting flange 2950. The assembly formed by the reactor 100 and the distributor 2000 thus coupled is designated by reference numeral 2 in Figure 24. [000168] With reference to Figure 25, the distributor 2000 comprises a plate stack 2010. Similar to the distributor 1000, when the distributor 2000 is coupled to the reactor 100 as shown in Figure 24, at least some of the plates in the plate stack 2010 are embedded in volume V. If not all the plates in the plate stack 2020 are embedded in volume V, the remaining plates are housed in the internal volume U. [000169] In an unshown variant, the fixing flange 2950 does not delimit an internal volume U, and all the plates of the plate stack 2010 are embedded in the volume V. In another unshown variant, the peripheral wall 140 does not delimit a volume V, in other words the inlet face 130 is flush with the peripheral wall 140, and all the plates of the plate stack 2010 are embedded in the internal volume U. [000170] Figure 25 is an exploded view of the plate stack 2010 and thus shows the plates 2050, 2100, 2150, 2200, 2250, 2300, 2350, 2400, 2450, 2500, 2550 that constitute the plate stack 2010. These plates are stacked along a longitudinal direction L of the distributor 2000, this longitudinal direction L being parallel to the principal direction X of the reactor 100 when the distributor 2000 is coupled to the reactor 100. Thus, the plate stack 2010 comprises a first end plate (here, plate 2050) and a second end plate (here, plate 2550), the other plates being located between the first end plate and the second end plate along the longitudinal direction L. One of the faces 2051 of the plate 2050 constitutes a first end face of the stack of plates 2010 which is in contact with the inlet face 130 when the distributor 2000 is coupled to the reactor 100.Of the two faces of plate 2550, the one which is turned in the opposite direction of face 2051 constitutes a second end face 2552 of the stack of plates 2010. [000171] The distributor 2000 is particularly suitable for cases where reactant A is in a gaseous state and reactant B is in a liquid state. Referring to Figures 23 and 24, reactant A in a gaseous state is delivered to the distributor 2000 via an inlet line 2970, which is connected to the mounting flange 2950 and opens into the internal volume U delimited by the mounting wall 2960. Referring to Figures 23 and 24, reactant B in a liquid state is delivered to the distributor 2000 via another inlet line 2980, which is surrounded by the inlet line 2970. [000172] In this second embodiment, the mixing chambers are formed in the mixing plate 2200 (see Figure 25, Figure 29), more specifically by hollow elements 2895 (see Figure 29, Figure 37 and Figure 39) housed in the mixing plate 2200. The hollow elements 2895 are made of a porous material, in particular a sintered material. With reference to Figure 29, the mixing plate 2200 has shoulders 2207 to house the hollow elements 2895. The bottom of a shoulder 2207 is pierced by a drainage hole 2208. The hollow elements 2895 are held in the shoulders 2207 by being fixed to the mixing plate 2200, for example by welding, in particular by spot welding. [000173] With reference to figures 26 to 28, the plates 2050, 2100, 2150 respectively have through holes 2058, 2108, 2158. A set of aligned through holes 2058, 2108, 2158 is in continuity with an evacuation hole 2208 and thus forms an outlet channel which is in fluid communication with a mixing chamber of the mixing plate 2200 and which opens onto the first end face 2051, to deliver mixture M to a reaction channel 110. [000174] In the example shown, the mixing chambers of the mixing plate 2200 have identical volumes and geometries since the drain holes 2208 have identical dimensions and the hollow elements 2895 have identical dimensions. [000175] Similar to distributor 1000, distributor 2000 comprises two separate distribution networks, each forming a three-dimensional channel network, one for reactant A in the gaseous state and the other for the second reactant B in the liquid state. [000176] The first distribution network intended for the first reactant A in the gaseous state is described first. [000177] With reference to figure 26, the first end plate 2050 has through holes 2059. Each through hole 2059 is in continuity with a feed channel 150, which delivers reagent A having circulated in reactor 100 as will be detailed below. [000178] As indicated by the reference E1 in figure 27, a through hole 2059 communicates with a branch 2140 formed in the plate 2100. Branch 2140 is analogous to branches 1540, 1440, 1340 of the first embodiment and thus divides an incident flow of reagent A into several equal parts, here into four equal parts. [000179] With reference to figure 28, a branch 2140 communicates with several (here, four) through holes 2163 that comprise the plate 2150. As indicated by the marker E2 in Figure 29, a through hole 2163 communicates with a slot 2240 in the mixing plate 2200. Several (here, four) of the shoulders 2207 are arranged around a slot 2240 so that the reagent A entering the slot 2240 is divided equally. (here, in four equal parts) between the hollow elements 2895, before entering the hollow elements 2895 by passing through the porous material of the hollow elements 2895. [000180] Thus, the first distribution network for the first reagent A comprises two layers of branching channels represented by plates 2100 and 2200. From an inlet of the first distribution network represented by a feed channel 150, a flow of first reagent A is divided by each layer of branching channels so as to distribute the first reagent A into the mixing chambers. This ensures that each mixing chamber receives a substantially equal flow of first reagent A. [000181] With reference to Figures 32 to 36, the plates 2350, 2400, 2450, 2500, and 2550 respectively have through holes 2377, 2427, 2477, 2527, and 2577 aligned to form channels parallel to the longitudinal direction L. As indicated by the reference mark G1 in Figure 31, such a channel opens into an oblong opening 2328 in the plate 2300. With reference to Figures 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, and 25, the plates 2250, 2200, 2150, 2100, and 2050 respectively have through holes 2279, 2229, 2179, 2129, and 2079 aligned to form channels parallel to the longitudinal direction L. An oblong light 2328 is aligned with a set of through holes 2279, 2229, 2179, 2129, 2079. In this way, the reagent A arriving through the inlet duct 2970 (see figure 23 and figure 24) is conducted through the stack of plates 2010 directly from the second end face 2552 to the first end face 2051 (see figure 25). [000182] The second distribution network for the second reactant B in the liquid state is then described. [000183] With reference to figure 26, the first end plate 2050 has through holes 2061. Each through hole 2061 is in continuity with a feed channel 165, which delivers reagent B having circulated in reactor 100 as will be detailed below. [000184] With reference to Figures 27 to 34, the plates 2100, 2150, 2200, 2250, 2300, 2350, 2400, 2450 respectively have through holes 2141, 2191, 2241, 2291, 2341, 2381, 2441, 2491 aligned so as to form channels parallel to the longitudinal direction L. As indicated by the reference mark H1 in Figure 35, such a channel opens into a branch 2520 formed in the plate 2500. The branch 2520 is analogous to the branches 1540, 1440, 1340 of the first embodiment and thus divides an incident flow of reagent B into several equal parts, here into two equal parts. [000185] With reference to Figure 34, a branch 2520 communicates with several (here, two) through holes 2482 formed in the plate 2450. As indicated by the reference H2 in Figure 33, a through hole 2482 opens into a branch 2420 formed in the plate 2400. The branch 2420 is analogous to the branch 2520 and thus divides an incident flow of reagent B into several equal parts, here into four equal parts. [000186] With reference to Figure 32, a branch 2420 communicates with several (here, four) through holes 2382 formed in the plate 2350. As indicated by the marker H3 in Figure 31, a through hole 2382 opens into the central portion 2321 of a branch 2320 formed in the plate 2300. The branch 2320 is analogous to branches 2520 and 2420 and thus divides an incident flow of reagent B into several equal parts, here into four equal parts. Four lateral portions 2322 ending in four lobes 2323 complete the double "T" shape of the branch 2320. [000187] With reference to Figure 31 and Figure 30, a branch 2320 communicates via its four lobes 2323 with four through holes 2282 formed in the plate 2250. A through hole 2282 opens into the internal volume of a hollow element 2895 (cf. Figure 37, Figure 39) so as to bring the reagent B into the mixing chamber formed by this hollow element 2895. [000188] Thus, the second distribution network for the second reagent B comprises three layers of channel branches represented by plates 2500, 2300, and 2100. From an inlet of the second distribution network, represented by a feed channel 150, a flow of the second reagent B is divided by each layer of channel branches so as to distribute the second reagent B into the mixing chambers. This ensures that each mixing chamber receives a substantially equal flow of the second reagent B. [000189] With reference to Figures 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27 and 26, the plates 2550, 2500, 2450, 2400, 2350, 2300, 2250, 2200, 2150, 2100, 2050 respectively have a through hole 2598, 2548, 2498, 2448, 2398, 2348, 2308, 2248, 2208, 2148, 2098. The through holes 2598, 2548, 2498, 2448, 2398, 2348, 2308, 2248, 2208, 2148, 2098 are aligned to form a through channel which conducts the reagent B arriving through the inlet duct 2980 (see figure 23 and figure 24) through the stack of plates 2010 directly from the second end face 2552 to the first end face 2051 (see figure 25). [000190] Plate 2150 is made of an elastomeric material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and serves as a sealing plate to provide a seal within the stack of plates 2010. Plate 2150 is optional and may be omitted if desired. Similarly, all or some of plates 2250, 2350, 2450, and 2550 may be made of an elastomeric material such as PTFE and may be omitted if desired. [000191] The first end plate 2050 can also be made of an elastomeric material such as PTFE to form a sealing plate, which ensures a seal between the stack of plates 2010 and the inlet face 130 of the reactor. [000192] The plates 2050, 2150, 2250, 2350, 2450, 2550 can have a thickness of approximately 1 mm in the absence of any compression along the longitudinal direction L. [000193] The plates 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500 are made of a suitable metal alloy, for example stainless steel such as 316L steel or a nickel alloy such as Hastelloy (registered trademark) C276. The various through holes, branches, slots, etc. described above in the plates 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500 can be made by machining, for example by laser machining or waterjet cutting. [000194] Plates 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500 can have a thickness between 2 mm and 10 mm. [000195] Figures 37 to 39 are three-dimensional views showing the first distribution network, the second distribution network, the mixing chambers, and the outlet channels obtained using the distributor 2000 described above. The inlet lines 2970 and 2980 and the reaction channels 110 are also shown. [000196] With reference to Figures 29 and 39, at the level of a mixing chamber defined by a hollow element 2895, the first reactant A in the gaseous state arriving in the light 2240 enters the hollow element 2895 by passing through the porous material of this hollow element 2895, and the second reactant B in the liquid state enters the internal volume of the hollow element 2895 through the through hole 2282. The reactants A, B mix in the mixing chamber, then the mixture M exits through an outlet channel defined by the discharge hole 2208 (see Figure 29) and the through holes 2158, 2108, 2058 (see Figures 28, 27 and 26) before joining a reaction channel 110. [000197] With reference to Figures 29 to 31, the through holes 2282 have, on the one hand, a cross-section strictly smaller than that of the hollow elements 2895, and on the other hand, a cross-section of the lobes 2323. This creates a narrowing of the cross-section in the second distribution network for reagent B, upstream of the mixing chambers following the direction of flow of reagent B. As in the first embodiment, such a narrowing of the cross-section tends to further homogenize the flow rates of the mixture M leaving the distributor 2000 and entering the reaction channels 110. [000198] As will be understood by referring to Figures 25 and 38, the second distribution network for the second reactant B passes through the mixing plate 2200, causing the second reactant B to pass through the mixing plate 2200 away from the first end face 2051 before returning to the mixing plate 2100. Similarly, the first distribution network for the first reactant A passes through the mixing plate 2200, causing the first reactant A to pass through the mixing plate 2200 away from the first end face 2051 before returning to the mixing plate 2100. [000199] As mentioned above, reactant A arriving through the inlet line 2970 is conducted through the plate stack 2010 directly from the second end face 2552 to the first end face 2051, and reactant B arriving through the inlet line 2980 is conducted through the plate stack 2010 directly from the second end face 2552 to the first end face 2051. This allows reactants A and B to pass through reactor 100 before being returned to the distributor 2000. Thus, reactants A and B can be preheated or precooled in reactor 100 to reach the required temperature before reaction. For this purpose, with reference to Figure 24B, an outlet flange 302 is provided.Since the outlet flange 302 is respectively analogous to the outlet flange 301 of the first embodiment, identical or analogous elements bear the same reference symbols as in Figure 4B and are not described again except when necessary. [000200] With reference to Figure 24B, the outlet flange 302 differs from the outlet flange 301 of the first embodiment in that the oblong slots 330 are used to force the first reactant A to turn around at the outlet flange 302. More specifically, the first reactant A arriving through a through hole 2079 (see Figure 26) flows through a channel 160 (see Figure 2, Figure 38) in continuity with an oblong slot 330, and arrives in the oblong slot 330 at the position indicated by the marker N1 in Figure 24B. As an unshown shutter is placed in continuity with the oblong light 330, the first reactant A is forced to turn around and go back into a feed channel 150 (see figure 2, figure 38), in the region indicated by the marker N2 on figure 24B.Thus, the first reactant A makes a round trip in reactor 100 before arriving in distributor 2000 via feed channels 150 and through holes 2059. [000201] With further reference to Figure 24B, the outlet flange 302 also differs from the outlet flange 301 of the first embodiment in that the inlet channel 320 is replaced by oblong slots 340. The oblong slots 340 are used to force the second reactant B to reverse direction at the outlet flange 302. More precisely, the second reactant B, arriving through the through hole 2098 (see Figure 26), flows through the central channels 155 (see Figure 2). Each central channel 155 is a continuation of an oblong slot 340. The second reactant B therefore arrives in the oblong slot 340 at the position indicated by the marker P1 in Figure 24B. As the unshown shutter is in continuity with the oblong light 340, the second reactant B is forced to turn around and go back into a feed channel 165 (cf.figure 2, figure 38) located in the continuity of the oblong lumen 340, in the region indicated by the marker P2 on figure 24B. Thus, the second reactant B makes a round trip in the reactor 100 before arriving in the distributor 2000 via the feed channels 165 and the through holes 2061. [000202] In order for the distributor 2000 to exhibit the circulation of reagents A and B described above, the plates of the plate stack 2010 must be kept stacked along the longitudinal direction L. This could be achieved by welding or gluing the plates together; however, this would prevent disassembly of the distributor 2000 for maintenance purposes. Instead, it is preferable for the plates to be attached to each other in a detachable manner. [000203] Figures 40 to 43 represent an alternative embodiment of the distributor 2000 which allows the plates of the plate stack 2010 to be fixed to each other in a detachable manner. [000204] With reference to figures 42 and 43, the plate 2500 and the plate 2100 (and, not shown, all the plates located between the plate 2500 and the plate 2100) have through mounting holes 20001 for receiving fasteners 20002. The fasteners 20002 provide a detachable attachment of the plate 2500 to the plate 2100 and to all the plates located between the plate 2500 and 2100. [000205] With reference to Figure 40 and Figure 42, the second end plate 2550 and the plate 2500 have through-holes 30001. With reference to Figure 41, these through-holes 30001 allow fasteners 30002 to be attached to at least one handle 30003 on the second end face 2552. Since the handle 30003 is attached to the plates 2550 and 2500, and the plate 2500 is attached to the subsequent plates by means of the fasteners 20002, the stack of plates 2010 can be handled as a single unit by grasping the handle 30003, which considerably facilitates the handling of the stack of plates 2010. In particular, by grasping the handle 30003, one can manipulate The stacking of plates 2010 to embed it in volume V. The handle 30003 can then be disassembled to arrive at the configuration shown in figure 40.Preferably, two 30003 handles are supplied, which further facilitates handling of the 2010 plate stack. [000206] Figures 40, 42 and 43 further show that each of the plates advantageously has a notch 40001 on one of its sides. The notches 40001 together form a predetermined pattern 40002 on the stack of plates 2010. Such a pattern 40002 provides a foolproof function, in that if the pattern 40002 differs from a reference pattern, the person assembling the stack of plates 2010 can very easily see that the assembly is incorrect. [000207] The alternative embodiment of figures 40 to 43 is also applicable to the distributor 1000, in other words the distributor 1000 can include through assembly holes similar to the through assembly holes 20001, and / or through fixing holes similar to the fixing holes 30001, and / or notches similar to the notches 40001. The same applies to the distributors described below. [000208] Returning to Figure 2, the channels 150, 155, 160, 165 preferably form a regular mesh which complements the regular mesh formed by the reaction channels 110. [000209] The particular geometry of the inlet face 130 shown in Figure 2, with 2 4 = 16 channels in the RC central zone, allowing it to be used with both the 1000 and 2000 splitters. Of course, the invention is in no way limited to 16 channels in the RC central zone. While not mandatory, but preferably, the RC central zone comprises 2 P channels, where P is a non-zero integer. Preferably, P is even. [000210] Still referring to figure 2, the inlet face 130 here comprises 2 7= 128 feedback channels outside the central RC zone. Of course, the invention is in no way limited to 128 channels outside the central RC zone. Not obligatorily but preferably, the inlet face 130 comprises 2 N 110 reaction channels outside the central RC zone, where N is a non-zero integer. Preferably, N is even. [000211] In simplified embodiments, the inlet face 130 may only comprise reaction channels 110. In this case as well, it is preferable that the inlet face 130 comprise 2 NReaction channels 110, where N is a non-zero integer and preferably even. Such embodiments are suitable when neither the first reactant A nor the second reactant B flows through reactor 100 to be heated before reaction. Figure 44 schematically shows a cross-section of a distributor 3000 corresponding to this scenario. The assembly formed by reactor 100 and distributor 3000 is designated by reference numeral 3 in Figure 44. [000212] Like the distributor 2000, the distributor 3000 comprises a stack of plates 3010 which includes a first end plate 3050 abutting the inlet face 130 of the reactor, a second end plate 3300 opposite the first end plate 3050, a mixing plate 3100, and plates 3150, 3200, 3250. Like the plates 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, the plates 3050, 3100, 3150, 3200, 3250, 3300 are made of a metallic alloy; the optional sealing plates of the stack of plates 3010 have been omitted for the sake of simplicity. [000213] The mixing plate 3100 is analogous to the mixing plate 2200, except in its center since the through holes 2229, 2241, 2248 are not required. [000214] The first end plate 3050 is analogous to the plate 2100, except in its center since the through holes 2129, 2141, 2148 are not required. The first end plate 3050 forms a layer of branching channels, so as to distribute the flow of first reagent A between the mixing chambers of the mixing plate 2200. The flow of first reagent A arrives via an inlet pipe 3970 and passes through only part of the stack of plates 3010 before passing through bypass channels 195 formed in the peripheral wall 140. These bypass channels 195 carry the first reagent A to the first end plate 3050. The inlets of the first distribution network for the first reagent A are thus formed on the first end plate 3050, but not on the first end face 3051 abutting the inlet face 130. [000215] Plates 3300, 3250, 3200, and 3150 are similar to plates 2500, 2400, and 2300, except in their center, since the through holes for the passage of the first reactant A and the second reactant B are not required. Each of the plates 3300, 3250, 3200, and 3150 forms a layer of branching channels, so as to distribute the flow of the second reactant B between the mixing chambers of the mixing plate 3100. The flow of the second reactant B arrives through an inlet duct 3980, which here surrounds the inlet duct 3970. [000216] In other simplified embodiments, the inlet face 130 may comprise only reaction channels 110 and a channel for circulating only one of the reactants A, B through the reactor 100. Figure 45 schematically shows a cross-section of a distributor 4000 corresponding to this configuration. The assembly formed by the reactor 100 and the distributor 4000 is designated by reference numeral 4 in Figure 45. Elements identical or similar to those of the distributor 3000 bear the same reference numerals plus 1000 and are not described again unless necessary. [000217] Assembly 4 differs from assembly 3 in that the reactor 100 has a central channel 196 for conveying the first reactant A. This central channel 196 opens onto the inlet face 130 to convey the first reactant A to the first end plate 4050. The inlets of the first distribution network for the first reactant A are thus formed on the first end plate 4050, more precisely on the first end face 4051 abutting the inlet face 130. [000218] The mixing plate 4100 is analogous to the mixing plate 3100. Plates 4150, 4200, 4250 are analogous to plates 3150, 3200, 3250 and each represent a layer of branching channels, so as to distribute the flow of second reagent B between the mixing chambers of the mixing plate 4100. The flow of second reagent B arrives through an inlet duct 4980. Like plates 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, plates 4050, 4100, 4150, 4200, 4250 are made of a metallic alloy; the optional sealing plates of the plate stack 4010 have been omitted for the sake of simplicity. [000219] Up to this point, only embodiments described have been found in which the reaction channels 110 of the reactor 100 form a regular rectangular mesh on the inlet face 130 (see Figure 2). However, the invention is not limited to this configuration. Other arrangements of the reaction channels 110 on the inlet face 130 are possible. [000220] A distributor 5000 according to a fifth embodiment is described below, which can be used together with a reactor 500. The assembly formed by the reactor 500 and the distributor 5000 is designated by reference 5 in Figure 46. [000221] The main body 520 of the reactor 500 is cylindrical. The main body 520 therefore has a circular inlet face 530, which is shown in front view parallel to the main direction X in Figure 47. On the inlet face 530, it opens reaction channels 510 and conduits 590. [000222] The reaction channels 510 are substantially oblong, each having opposite lateral faces with identical concavity. In this example, the reaction channels 510 thus adopt a shape substantially similar to that of a bean. Each reaction channel 510 belongs to a group 511 which comprises 2 Kreaction channels 510, where K is a non-zero integer. In the example shown, K = 2. In each group 511, the reaction channels 510 are arranged along an imaginary curved line extending radially from the center of the inlet face 530 to the peripheral edge of the inlet face 530. The groups 511 are rotationally mirror images of each other around the center of the inlet face 530. The number Q of groups 511 can be arbitrary. The reactor 500 thus has Q x 2 K reaction channels 511. In the example shown, Q = 12 and reactor 500 thus has 12 x 2 2 = 48 reaction channels 511. [000223] The conduits 590 open onto the periphery of the inlet face 530. The conduits 590 can be used to circulate a heat transfer fluid in the main body 520, and thus regulate the temperature of the main body 520 and therefore the temperature in the reaction channels 510. [000224] Referring back to Figure 46, the distributor 5000 comprises a stack of plates 5010 and a mounting flange 5900. The reactor 500 has a peripheral wall 540 that defines an internal volume W in which the stack of plates 5010 is embedded. The mounting flange 5900 is fixed to this peripheral wall 540. The mounting flange 5900 and the peripheral wall 540 are traversed by a plurality of conduits 5950, extending from the conduits 590, to carry the heat transfer fluid to the conduits 590. The mounting flange 5900 has an inlet line 5970 for the first reactant A in the gaseous state and an inlet line 5980 for the second reactant B in the liquid state. Intake duct 5970 surrounds intake duct 5980. Intake duct 5980 opens into internal volume W. [000225] The 5010 plate stack is analogous to the 1010 plate stack and thus comprises: - a first end plate 5050, one of whose faces constitutes a first end face 5051 abutting the inlet face 530; - a second end plate 5750, one of whose faces constitutes a second end face 5752 turned opposite to the first end face 5051; - plates 5100, 5150, 5200, 5250, 5300, 5350, 5400, 5450, 5500, 5550, 5600, 5650, 5700 between the end plates 5050, 5750.[000226] Plate 5100 constitutes the mixing plate of the distributor 5000. With reference to the left view of Figure 49, the mixing plate 5100 has oblong through holes 5109 which each define a mixing chamber. In the right view of Figure 49, the oblong through holes 5109 have been shown in superposition with the inlet face 530 to show that each oblong through hole 5109 is in continuity with a reaction channel 510. The oblong through holes 5109 are thus arranged in groups that are imaged of each other by rotation, like the reaction channels 510. [000227] With reference to figure 48, the first end plate 5050 has oblong through holes 5059. Each oblong through hole 5059 is in continuity with a reaction channel 510 and a through hole 5109 to form an outlet channel of the distributor 5000. [000228] With reference to Figure 62, the second end plate 5750 has a central portion 5753 made of a porous material, in particular a sintered material. This central portion 5753 is optionally held in a retaining ring 5754, such as a sintered ring. The second end plate 5750 plays a role analogous to that of the plate 1650 of the first embodiment. The first reactant A in the gaseous state, upon entering the internal volume W, distributes itself in the portion of the internal volume W not occupied by the stack of plates 5010 before passing through the porous material. The first reactant A reaches the mixing chambers via longitudinal channels. Each longitudinal channel is formed by a set of aligned through holes 5710, 5610, 5510, 5410, 5310, 5210, formed respectively in the plates 5700, 5600, 5500, 5400, 5300, 5200. [000229] Still with reference to figure 62, the second end plate 5750 has a central channel 5770 which communicates with the inlet line 5980 to admit the second reactant B in liquid form into the distributor 5000. This central channel 5770 is aligned with central orifices 5720, 5620 formed respectively in the plates 5700, 5600. [000230] With reference to Figure 59, the plate 5600 comprises a plurality of radial channels 5625 radiating from the central channel 5620 and each terminating in a lobe 5629. Since the radial channels 5625 and the lobes 5629 are of identical dimensions, the incident flow of second reactant B arriving in the central channel 5620 is divided into R equal parts, R being the number of radial channels 5625. In the example shown, R = 12. Unlike the plates 2500, 2400, 2300, 1500, 1400, 1300 where each branch divides the incident flow of second reactant B into two or four equal parts, the plate 5600 represents a layer of branching channels in which the incident flow of second reactant B is divided into R equal parts by means of the R radial channels 5625. The number R is not necessarily a power of 2, and is not even necessarily an even number. The number R can even be a prime number.By suitably choosing the number R and any other branches of the second distribution network intended for the second reactant B, it is possible to distribute reactant B into an arbitrary number of mixing chambers, each corresponding to a reaction channel 510. This principle is also applicable to the distributors 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 described above. [000231] With reference to Figures 57 and 55, a lobe 5629 communicates via a through hole 5520 formed in the plate 5500 with a branch 5540 formed in the plate 5400. The branch 5440 is analogous to the branch 1540 for dividing the incident flow of second reactant B into two equal parts, except that its central portion 5441 is curved. More precisely, the central portion 5441 describes a curved line that approximately follows the imaginary curved line of a group 511 of reaction channels 510, as shown in the right-hand view of Figure 55 where the branches 5440 and the through holes 5410 are shown superimposed with the reaction channels 510. [000232] With reference to Figures 55, 53 and 51, a lateral portion 5442 of a branch 5440 communicates with an oblong, bean-shaped through-hole 5330 formed in the plate 5300 and a through-hole 5230 formed in the plate 5200. Reagent B exiting through the lateral portion 5442 reaches a mixing chamber formed by a through-hole 5109 by passing through the through-holes 5330 and 5230. The through-hole 5230 has a cross-section strictly smaller than those of the through-holes 5330 and 5109 to obtain a narrowing of the cross-section analogous to that of the distributors 1000 and 2000. As in Figure 55, the right-hand views in Figures 53 and 51 show the through-holes superimposed with the reaction channels 510. [000233] Like the 1600, 1500, 1400, 1300, 1200, 1100 plates, the 5700, 5600, 5500, 5400, 5300, 5200, 5100 plates are made of a metallic alloy. [000234] The first end plate 5050 can be made of an elastomeric material such as PTFE to form a sealing plate, which ensures a seal between the stack of plates 5010 and the inlet face 530 of the reactor 500. [000235] Plates 5150, 5250, 5350, 5450, 5550, 5650 can also be made of an elastomeric material such as PTFE to form a gasket plate. Each of plates 5150, 5250, 5350, 5450, 5550, 5650 is optional. Plates 5150, 5250, 5350, 5450, 5550, 5650 can respectively have geometries identical to those of plates 5100, 5200, 5300, 5400, 5500, 5600 which are adjacent to them, as shown in figures 51 to 61. Plates 5150, 5250, 5350, 5450, 5550, 5650 are therefore not described in detail for the sake of brevity. Of course, plates 5150, 5250, 5350, 5450, 5550, 5650 can also have different geometries from plates 5100, 5200, 5300, 5400, 5500, 5600 which are adjacent to them, as long as they allow the circulation which has been described of reactants A, B in distributor 5000. [000236] In the embodiments that have been described, the branches 1340, 1440, 1540, 2140, 2320, 2420, 2520, 5440 divide the incident flow of reactant A or B into 2 = 2 1 equal parts or in 4 = 2 2 equal parts. However, more generally, these branches can divide the incident flow of reactant A or B into 2 S equal parts where S is a non-zero integer. Preferably, S is even. [000237] The distributors 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 are not only usable for a reactant A in the gaseous state and a reactant B in the liquid state. Reactants A and B can also both be in the liquid state. However, in this case, it is preferable to omit the plates 1650 and 5750, whose porous material is likely to impede the flow of reactant A, or to choose a porous material with high porosity. [000238] A reactant "in the gaseous state" may be a pure gas (with unavoidable impurities) or a gas included in a mixture of gases. A reactant "in the liquid state" may be a pure liquid (with unavoidable impurities) or a reactant included in a liquid phase, particularly a reactant in solution. The gas may advantageously be hydrogen for carrying out hydrogenation reactions. [000239] Experimental validation [000240] A reactor analogous to reactor 100 has been constructed with 8 reaction channels 110. This reactor has been associated with a distributor analogous to distributor 1000, forming an assembly analogous to assembly 1. The distributor feeds the 8 reaction channels. [000241] Experiment 1: Evaluation of average length of stay [000242] The 8 reaction channels are filled with 96 grams of glass beads sieved between 250 and 300 µm. The assembly is then supplied with nitrogen, representing reagent A, and water, representing reagent B. The operating conditions are: - Water flow rate: 150 mL / min - Nitrogen flow rate: 250 mL / min at a pressure of 8 bar, i.e. 2 NL / min (normal liters per minute) - Reactor temperature: 20°C. [000243] The average residence time is 12 seconds, which corresponds to a liquid volume in the reactor of 30 mL. The signal obtained is similar to that of an ideal plug flow reactor with a Peclet number (Pe) of 120. [000244] Experiment 2: Qualification with a test reaction [000245] The selected test reaction is the selective hydrogenation of acetophenone to phenylethanol catalyzed by palladium (Pd). [000246] The hydrogenation of acetophenone leads to phenylethanol and then, through a second hydrogenation step, to ethylbenzene. The aim is therefore to maximize the production of phenylethanol while avoiding the formation of ethylbenzene. [000247] We therefore define a conversion, expressed as a percentage, by the following relationship: 000248 [000249] And we define a selectivity, expressed as a percentage, by the following relationship: [000250] Selectivity = - - [Phenylethanol] - [Phenylethanol] + [Ethylbenzene] [000251] where [Z] denotes the molar concentration of reactant Z. [000252] For a given conversion, selectivity is higher when the residence time distribution in the reactor is better. [000253] The 8 reaction channels are filled with 28 grams of catalytic alumina beads, sieved to 300 µm, containing approximately 5% palladium (Pd) by mass, and non-catalytic alumina beads, also sieved to 300 µm. The assembly is then supplied with hydrogen gas, serving as reagent A, and with a solution of acetophenone in heptane, acetophenone serving as reagent B and heptane as the solvent. The operating conditions are: - concentration of acetophenone in the solution: 0.5 mol / L - Solution flow rate: 150 mL / min - Dihydrogen flow rate: 4 NL / min at a pressure of 5 bar - Reactor temperature: 20°C. [000254] For a contact time of 16 mL / min / gcat, the conversion is 95% and the selectivity is 96.5%. [000255] Experiment 3: Comparative trial [000256] The test reaction of experiment 2 was implemented in a batch reactor equipped with a Rushton turbine. [000257] For a contact time of 16 mL / min / gcat, the conversion is 94% and the selectivity is 96.5%. [000258] The results of experiment 2 and experiment 3 indicate that the distributor and the assembly according to the invention make it possible to obtain a conversion and selectivity comparable to those of an ideal batch reactor, but with the advantages of a milli-structured chemical reactor, and in particular the possibility of scaling up, which is not possible in the case of an ideal batch reactor.

Claims

1. Claims

1. Reagent distributor (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) for a milli-structured chemical reactor (100, 500), the milli-structured chemical reactor comprising an inlet face (130, 530) and a plurality of reaction channels (110, 510) opening onto the inlet face, the distributor being configured to receive a first reagent (A) and a second reagent (B), the distributor comprising a plurality of plates stacked along a longitudinal direction (L) of the distributor, the plates comprising: - a first end plate (1050, 2050, 3050, 4050, 5050) which includes a first end face (1051, 2051, 3051, 4051, 5051) intended to be in buttress against the inlet face (130, 530) of the reactor; - a second end plate (1650, 2550, 3300, 4250, 5750) which has a second end face (1652, 2552, 5752) facing the opposite direction to the first end face; and - a mixing plate (1100, 2200, 3100, 4100, 5100) located between the first end plate and the second end plate, the mixing plate having a plurality of mixing chambers configured to receive the first reagent (A) and the second reagent (B) and thus mix them, in which the plates together define, between the first end face and the second end face: - a first distribution network for distributing the first reagent (A) into the mixing chambers and a second distribution network for distributing the second reagent (B) into the mixing chambers, the first and second distribution networks being distinct and each forming a three-dimensional channel network; and - a plurality of output channels, each output channel being in fluid communication with a mixing chamber and opening onto the first end face (1051, 2051, 3051, 4051, 5051).

2. Reagent distributor (1000, 5000) according to claim 1, wherein one of the plates, in particular the second end plate, is made of a porous material, in particular a sintered material, and the first distribution network comprises a plurality of longitudinal channels, each longitudinal channel being parallel to the longitudinal direction and providing fluid communication between the porous material and a mixing chamber.

3. Reagent distributor (2000, 3000, 4000) according to claim 1, wherein the first distribution network comprises at least one layer of first channel branches (2140) extending along a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal direction (L), the first channel branches being arranged so that an incident flow of first reagent (A) is divided so as to distribute the first reagent.

4. Reagent distributor (2000, 3000, 4000) according to claim 3, wherein a said layer of first channel branches is located between the mixing plate (1100, 2200, 3100, 4100, 5100) and the first end face (1051, 2051, 3051, 4051, 5051).

5. Reagent distributor (4000) according to claim 4, wherein said layer of first channel branches is formed in the first end plate (4050), and wherein an inlet of the first distribution network is located on the first end face (4051).

6. Reagent distributor (2000) according to claim 4, wherein said first branch channel layer is formed in a plate (2100) adjacent to the first end plate (2050), and wherein an inlet of the first distribution network is located on the first end face (2051).

7. Reagent distributor (2000, 3000, 4000) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the mixing plate (2200, 3100, 4100) comprises a plurality of hollow elements (2895) made of a porous material, in particular a sintered material, each hollow element (2895) forming a mixing chamber.

8. Reagent distributor (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first distribution network has cross-sectional constrictions between an inlet of the first distribution network and the mixing chambers and / or the second distribution network has cross-sectional constrictions between an inlet of the second distribution network and the mixing chambers.

9. Reagent distributor (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second distribution network comprises at least one layer of second channel branches (1340, 1440, 1540, 2140, 2320, 2420, 2520, 5440, 5620, 5625) extending along a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal direction (L), the second channel branches being arranged so that an incident flow of second reagent (B) is divided so as to distribute the second reagent.

10. Reagent distributor (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) according to claim 9, wherein the second distribution network comprises a plurality of said layer of second channel branches, forming a superposition of layers of second channel branches, the layers of second channel branches being arranged such that from an inlet of the second distribution network, a flow of second reagent is divided by each layer of second channel branches so as to distribute the second reagent into the mixing chambers.

11. Reagent distributor (3000, 4000, 5000) according to claim 10, wherein said inlet of the second distribution network is located on the second end face.

12. Reagent distributor (1000, 2000) according to claim 10, wherein said inlet of the second distribution network is located on the first end face (1051, 2051) and the second distribution network passes through the mixing plate.

13. Reagent distributor (2000) according to claim 12, wherein: - the distributor includes a through channel separate from the distribution networks and extending from the second end face (2552) to the first end face (2051) through the mixing plate (2100), so as to conduct the second reactant (B) from the second end face directly to the first end face to have the second reactant (B) heated by the reactor (100); and - said inlet of the second distribution network is arranged to receive the second reactant heated by the reactor (100).

14. Reagent distributor (5000) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein a said layer of second channel branches comprises a single central channel (5620) and R radial channels (5625) radiating around the central channel, R being a non-zero integer.

15. Reagent distributor (1000, 2000, 5000) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein a said layer of second channel branches comprises a plurality of branches (1340, 1440, 1540, 2140, 2320, 2420, 2520, 5440), each dividing an incident second reagent flow (B) into 2 S equal parts, S being a non-zero integer and S preferably being even.

16. Assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) comprising a reactant distributor (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and a milli-structured chemical reactor (100, 500), the milli-structured chemical reactor having an inlet face (130, 530) and a plurality of reaction channels (110, 510) opening onto the inlet face, in which the distributor is coupled to the reactor such that the first end face (1051, 2051, 3051, 4051, 5051) is abutted against the inlet face of the reactor and such that each outlet channel is in fluid communication with a reaction channel (110, 510).

17. Assembly (3) according to claim 16, wherein the reagent distributor (4000) is according to claim 4, and wherein the reactor comprises a peripheral wall (140) defining a volume (V) in which at least some of the plates are embedded, said peripheral wall comprising bypass channels configured (195) to convey the first reagent (A) to said layer of first channel branches.

18. Assembly (2, 4) according to claim 16, wherein the reagent distributor (2000, 4000) is according to any one of claims 5 to 6, and wherein the reactor (100) comprises a first feed channel (150, 196) positioned in continuity with said inlet of the first distribution network to supply the first distribution network with first reagent (A).

19. Assembly (1, 2) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the reagent distributor (1000, 2000) is according to claim 12, and wherein the reactor (100) comprises a second feed channel (150, 165) positioned in continuity with said inlet of the second distribution network to supply the second distribution network with second reagent (B).

20. Assembly (2) according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the reagent distributor (2000) is according to claim 13, and wherein: - the reactor (100) includes a heating channel (155) positioned in line with the through channel of the distributor (2000) so as to receive the second reactant (B) delivered by the through channel in order to heat the second reactant (B) by the reactor (100); and - the second supply channel (165) is arranged to convey the second reagent heated in the heating channel to said inlet of the second distribution network.

21. A method for carrying out a chemical reaction between a first reactant (A) and a second reactant (B) using an assembly (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to any one of claims 16 to 20, the method comprising circulating the first reactant in the first distribution network of the reactant distributor (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000) and circulating the second reactant in the second distribution network of the reactant distributor, such that the first reactant and the second reactant are mixed in the mixing chambers of the reactant distributor, and such that the mixture (M) thus obtained flows through the outlet channels of the reactant distributor to the reaction channels (110, 510) of the reactor (100, 500).

22. A process according to claim 21, wherein the first reactant (A) is in the liquid state.

23. A process according to claim 21, wherein the first reactant (A) is in the gaseous state.

24. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the second reactant (B) is in the liquid state.

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