Photoreaction device

Abstract

Provided is a photoreaction device capable of improving a photoreaction yield. The photoreaction device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a photoreaction module and a casing. The casing accommodates the photoreaction module. The casing is configured to be supplied with a medium for adjusting the temperature of the photoreaction module. The photoreaction module is provided with a hollow tube, a light radiation unit, a reaction tube, and a light reflector. The light radiation unit is disposed inside the hollow tube. The reaction tube is wound around the hollow tube. A fluid containing a reactant is supplied to the reaction tube. The light reflector is in contact with at least a portion of the reaction tube from the side opposite to the hollow tube.

Description

Photoreaction apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to a photoreaction apparatus.

[0002] A photoreaction in which light is irradiated onto a reactant to progress a chemical reaction is known. It has been studied to continuously carry out such a photoreaction using a photoreaction apparatus to efficiently produce a reaction product. For example, a photoreaction reactor has been proposed, which includes a medium flow pipe capable of introducing and discharging a medium, a hollow portion provided at the center of the medium flow pipe, a first light source installed in the hollow portion, a photoreaction pipe spirally arranged around the hollow portion, and a light reflector covering the outside of the medium flow pipe (see Patent Document 1). In such a photoreaction reactor, the first light source installed in the hollow portion irradiates light toward a sample flowing in the photoreaction pipe, and the light reflector reflects light that has passed through the photoreaction pipe toward the sample flowing in the photoreaction pipe, thereby promoting the photoreaction.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-167195

[0004] However, in the photoreaction reactor described in Patent Document 1, light traveling back and forth through the light reflector is absorbed by the medium, which may result in insufficient yield in the photoreaction, and improvement of the yield in the photoreaction is increasingly desired. A main object of the present invention is to provide a photoreaction apparatus capable of improving the yield in photoreaction.

[0005] [1] An embodiment of the present invention provides a photoreaction apparatus comprising a photoreaction module and a casing. The casing houses the photoreaction module. The casing is configured to supply a medium for adjusting the temperature of the photoreaction module. The photoreaction module comprises a hollow tube, a light emitter, a reaction tube, and a light reflector. The light emitter is located inside the hollow tube. The reaction tube is wound around the hollow tube. The reaction tube is supplied with a fluid containing reactants. The light reflector is in contact with at least a portion of the reaction tube from the side opposite to the hollow tube. [2] In the photoreaction apparatus described in [1] above, the light emitter may be configured to emit infrared radiation. The hollow tube and the reaction tube may each be transparent to infrared radiation. [3] In the photoreaction apparatus described in [2] above, the hollow tube and the reaction tube may each be made of an infrared-transmitting material. The infrared-transmitting material may include electrofused silica, translucent alumina, silicone resin, or fluororesin. [4] In the photoreaction apparatus described in [2] or [3] above, the light reflector may be capable of reflecting infrared rays. [5] In the photoreaction apparatus described in [4] above, the light reflector may include a metallic material or a reflective coating. [6] In the photoreaction apparatus described in any of [1] to [5] above, a residual air layer may be formed between the hollow tube and the reaction tube. [7] In the photoreaction apparatus described in any of [1] to [6] above, the casing may be configured to be supplied with water as the medium. [8] In the photoreaction apparatus described in any of [1] to [7] above, the light emission section may include a light source and a housing tube. The housing tube houses the light source. The housing tube may be located away from the inner surface of the hollow tube. A flow path for a refrigerant may be formed between the inner surface of the hollow tube and the outer surface of the housing tube.

[0006] According to embodiments of the present invention, the yield in photoreactions can be improved.

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photoreaction apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photoreaction module included in the photoreaction apparatus of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts of the reaction tube and light reflector included in the photoreaction module of Figure 2.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may schematically represent the width, thickness, shape, etc., of each part compared to the embodiments; however, these are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention.

[0009] A. Schematic Figure 1 of the photoreactor is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photoreactor according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photoreactor module included in the photoreactor of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, in one embodiment, the photoreactor 100 is configured to irradiate any suitable reactants with light to continuously produce a desired target compound from the reactants by photoreaction. The photoreactor 100 comprises a photoreactor module 1 and a casing 2. The casing 2 houses the photoreactor module 1. The casing 2 is configured to supply a medium for adjusting the temperature of the photoreactor module 1. The photoreactor module 1 comprises a hollow tube 11, a light emitting section 12, a reaction tube 13, and a light reflector 14. The light emitting section 12 is located inside the hollow tube 11. The reaction tube 13 is wrapped around the hollow tube 11. A fluid containing reactants is supplied to the reaction tube 13. The light reflector 14 is in contact with at least a portion of the reaction tube 13 from the side opposite to the hollow tube 11. With this configuration, since the light reflector 14 is in contact with at least a portion of the reaction tube 13 from the side opposite to the hollow tube 11, it is possible to suppress the inflow of the medium for adjusting the temperature of the photoreaction module 1 between the light reflector 14 and the reaction tube 13. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the absorption of light transmitted through the reaction tube 13 by the medium before it is reflected by the light reflector 14, and also to suppress the absorption of light reflected by the light reflector 14 by the medium before it reaches the reaction tube 13. As a result, the light emitted by the light emission unit 12 can be efficiently supplied to the reactants contained in the fluid inside the reaction tube 13. In addition, since the light reflector 14 is in contact with the reaction tube 13, the medium supplied to the casing 2 can appropriately adjust the temperature of the reaction tube 13 via the light reflector 14. As a result, the photoreaction apparatus 100 can allow the photoreaction of the reactants to proceed continuously and smoothly, and the yield of the target compound can be improved.

[0010] A-1. Photoreaction Module A-1-1. Light Emitting Unit As shown in Figure 2, the light emitting unit 12 is configured to emit light corresponding to the reactants contained in the fluid. Examples of light emitted by the light emitting unit 12 include infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light.

[0011] In one embodiment, the light emission unit 12 includes a light source 121 and a housing tube 122.

[0012] The light source 121 has any suitable configuration capable of emitting the light described above. Typically, the light source 121 emits light when a voltage is applied. An example of the light source 121 is a resistance heater. Examples of materials for the heating element of the resistance heater include tungsten, carbon, iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, and nickel-chromium alloy. The heating element materials can be used alone or in combination. Metamaterials can also be used for the resistance heater. In the illustrated example, the light emitting section 12 further comprises a first terminal 123 and a second terminal 124. The first terminal 123 is connected to one end of the light source 121. The second terminal 124 is located on the opposite side of the light source 121 from the first terminal 123 and is connected to the other end of the light source 121. Each of the first terminal 123 and the second terminal 124 is electrically connected to an external power supply (not shown). As a result, a voltage can be applied to the light source 121 from the external power supply via the first terminal 123 and the second terminal 124.

[0013] The housing tube 122 houses the light source 121. The housing tube 122 is configured to transmit light emitted by the light source 121. The transmittance of the light emitted from the light source 121 in the housing tube 122 is, for example, 80% or more, preferably 90% or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the transmittance of the light emitted from the light source 121 in the housing tube 122 is typically 100%.

[0014] The housing tube 122 has a cylindrical shape extending in a predetermined direction. Examples of the housing tube 122's shape include a cylindrical shape and a rectangular shape. In the illustrated example, the housing tube 122 has a cylindrical shape. The housing tube 122 has any appropriate size. The inner diameter of the cylindrical housing tube 122 is, for example, 6 mm to 20 mm. The outer diameter of the cylindrical housing tube 122 is, for example, 8 mm to 24 mm.

[0015] In the illustrated example, the axial direction of the axis of the housing tube 122 is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the axis of the hollow tube 11. More specifically, the angle between the axial direction of the housing tube 122 and the axial direction of the hollow tube 11 is within the range of 0° ± 5°.

[0016] The internal space of the containment tube 122 contains any suitable gas depending on the light source 121. This helps to suppress the deterioration of the light source 121 even if it generates heat due to the emission of light. If the light source 121 contains tungsten, the internal space of the containment tube 122 is preferably sealed with an inert gas. Examples of inert gases include nitrogen gas and argon gas. The inert gas can be used alone or in combination with a halogen gas. If the light source 121 contains an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, and / or a metamaterial, the internal space of the containment tube 122 is preferably filled with air. In this case, the internal space of the containment tube 122 may be sealed so as not to be connected to the external space, or it may be connected to the external space.

[0017] In one embodiment, the light-emitting section 12 further comprises a first sealing section 125 and a second sealing section 126. The first sealing section 125 hermetically seals one axial end of the housing tube 122. The second sealing section 126 hermetically seals the other axial end of the housing tube 122. This allows the above-mentioned gas to be stably present in the internal space of the housing tube 122.

[0018] Each of the first sealing portion 125 and the second sealing portion 126 has any suitable shape. In one embodiment, each of the first sealing portion 125 and the second sealing portion 126 has a U-shape in a cross-section cut along the axial direction of the housing tube 122 and receives the end of the housing tube 122. Each of the first sealing portion 125 and the second sealing portion 126 may or may not transmit the light emitted from the light source 121. In the illustrated example, a portion of the first terminal 123 is exposed from the first sealing portion 125, and a portion of the second terminal 124 is exposed from the second sealing portion 126. This allows a voltage to be applied to the light source 121 while maintaining an airtight seal inside the housing tube 122.

[0019] A-1-2. Hollow tube The hollow tube 11 has a hollow shape and houses the light-emitting section 12. The hollow tube 11 is configured to transmit light emitted by the light source 121. The range of transmittance of the light emitted from the light source 121 in the hollow tube 11 is, for example, the same as the range of transmittance of the light emitted from the light source 121 in the housing tube 122 described above.

[0020] The hollow tube 11 has a cylindrical shape that extends in a predetermined direction. Examples of the shape of the hollow tube 11 include a cylindrical shape and a rectangular shape. In the illustrated example, the hollow tube 11 has a cylindrical shape. The inner dimensions (inner diameter) of the hollow tube 11 are typically larger than the outer dimensions (outer diameter) of the housing tube 122. The hollow tube 11 has any appropriate size. The inner diameter of a cylindrical hollow tube 11 is, for example, 1.5 times or more and 8.0 times or less, and preferably 2.0 times or more and 5.0 times or less, the outer diameter of the housing tube 122. The inner diameter of a cylindrical hollow tube 11 is, for example, 22 mm or more and 38 mm or less, and preferably 26 mm or more and 32 mm or less. The outer diameter of a cylindrical hollow tube 11 is, for example, 25 mm or more and 42 mm or less, and preferably 30 mm or more and 38 mm or less.

[0021] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the hollow tube 11 is located away from the outer surface of the housing tube 122. That is, the housing tube 122 is located away from the inner surface of the hollow tube 11. In the illustrated example, a flow path 10 through which a refrigerant flows is formed between the inner surface of the hollow tube 11 and the outer surface of the housing tube 122. The refrigerant is a heat transfer medium for cooling the hollow tube 11 and the housing tube 122. With this configuration, the refrigerant flowing through the flow path 10 absorbs the heat generated from the light source 121, thereby suppressing an excessive rise in the outer surface temperature of the housing tube 122.

[0022] Examples of refrigerants include gaseous refrigerants and liquid refrigerants. Gaseous refrigerants are media that are in a gaseous state at normal temperature and pressure (23°C, 0.1 MPa). Examples of gaseous refrigerants include air, nitrogen, and argon. Liquid refrigerants are media that are in a liquid state at normal temperature and pressure (23°C, 0.1 MPa). Examples of liquid refrigerants include fluorine liquid refrigerants and silicone liquid solvents. Refrigerants can be used alone or in combination. Among the refrigerants, gaseous refrigerants are preferred, and air is preferred. If the refrigerant contains air, it is possible to suppress the absorption of light emitted by the light emission unit 12 by the refrigerant. Therefore, even if a flow path 10 is provided between the hollow tube 11 and the containment tube 122, the light emitted by the light emission unit 12 can be efficiently supplied to the reactants contained in the fluid in the reaction tube 13.

[0023] In the illustrated example, the hollow tube 11 has a refrigerant supply port 111 and a refrigerant outlet 112. Each of the refrigerant supply port 111 and the refrigerant outlet 112 is connected to the flow path 10. The refrigerant supply port 111 and the refrigerant outlet 112 are located apart from each other in the axial direction of the hollow tube 11. Refrigerant supplied to the flow path 10 passes through the refrigerant supply port 111. Refrigerant discharged from the flow path 10 passes through the refrigerant outlet 112. In one embodiment, the photoreaction apparatus 100 further comprises a refrigerant supply unit 3 and a refrigerant discharge unit 4. The refrigerant supply unit 3 is connected to the refrigerant supply port 111. The refrigerant supply unit 3 is configured to supply refrigerant to the flow path 10 via the refrigerant supply port 111. The refrigerant discharge unit 4 is connected to the refrigerant outlet 112. The refrigerant discharge unit 4 is configured to recover refrigerant from the flow path 10 via the refrigerant outlet 112.

[0024] A-1-3. First and Second Supports In one embodiment, the photoreaction module 1 includes a first support 17 and a second support 18. The first support 17 and the second support 18 support the light-emitting section 12 such that the light-emitting section 12 is immobile relative to the hollow tube 11. The first support 17 seals one axial end of the hollow tube 11 and supports one end of the light-emitting section 12. In the illustrated example, the first support 17 supports the first sealing portion 125 of the light-emitting section 12. The second support 18 seals the other axial end of the hollow tube 11 and supports the other end of the light-emitting section 12. In the illustrated example, the second support 18 supports the second sealing portion 126 of the light-emitting section 12. The first support portion 17 and the second support portion 18 may or may not transmit the light emitted by the light source 121.

[0025] In the illustrated example, the hollow tube 11, the housing tube 122, the first sealing portion 125, the second sealing portion 126, the first support portion 17, and the second support portion 18 define the flow path 10.

[0026] A-1-4. Reaction Tube The reaction tube 13 has a hollow shape through which a fluid containing reactants can pass. Typically, the reaction tube 13 is wound spirally around the hollow tube 11. The number of turns of the reaction tube 13 is arbitrarily and appropriately adjusted. For example, the number of turns of the reaction tube 13 is 20 to 50. The reaction tube 13 has any appropriate shape in the cross-section obtained by cutting the reaction tube 13 in the axial direction of the hollow tube 11. Examples of cross-sectional shapes of the reaction tube 13 include annular, elliptical, and rectangular shapes, with an annular shape being preferred. The reaction tube 13 has any appropriate size. For example, the inner diameter of the reaction tube 13 having an annular cross-section is 0.5 mm to 4 mm, preferably 2 mm to 3 mm. For example, the outer diameter of the reaction tube 13 having an annular cross-section is 1 mm to 6 mm, preferably 3 mm to 4 mm.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, at least a portion of the reaction tube 13 is wound around the hollow tube 11 such that it is in contact with the hollow tube 11 in the radial direction. In one embodiment, the reaction tubes 13 wound around the hollow tube 11 are in contact with each other in the axial direction of the hollow tube 11. In the illustrated example, a residual air layer 15 is formed between the reaction tube 13 and the hollow tube 11. More specifically, the residual air layer 15 is a space formed between the reaction tubes 13 and the hollow tube 11 that are adjacent to each other and in contact in the axial direction of the hollow tube 11, and is composed of air. If, for example, water enters this area, the light will be absorbed by the water and the yield will decrease. By forming such a residual air layer 15, the light emitted by the light-emitting section 12 can be stably supplied to the reactants contained in the fluid inside the reaction tube 13.

[0028] A-1-5. Light Reflector The light reflector 14 is typically located on the opposite side of the reaction tube 13 wound around the hollow tube 11, and covers the reaction tube 13 in the circumferential direction of the hollow tube 11. The light reflector 14 is configured to reflect light emitted from the light source 121. The reflectance of the light emitted from the light source 121 in the light reflector 14 is, for example, 80% or more, preferably 90% or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the reflectance of the light emitted from the light source 121 in the light reflector 14 is typically 100%. The thermal conductivity of the light reflector 14 is, for example, 200 W / m·K or more. When the light reflector 14 has such thermal conductivity, the medium supplied to the casing 2 can stably temperature control the reaction tube 13 via the light reflector 14.

[0029] The light reflector 14 has any suitable shape. Examples of the shape of the light reflector 14 include a film shape and a cylindrical shape. In the illustrated example, the light reflector 14 has a rolled film shape. The film-shaped light reflector 14 has any suitable thickness. The thickness of the film-shaped light reflector 14 is, for example, 1 μm or more and 30 μm or less, preferably 5 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0030] In one embodiment, the light reflector 14 is flexible. In the illustrated example, the light reflector 14 is positioned along the outer surface of the reaction tube 13 wound around the hollow tube 11. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the retention of air between the light reflector 14 and the reaction tube 13, and to suppress the intrusion of the medium supplied to the casing 2. As a result, the medium can more stably temperature-control the reaction tube 13 via the light reflector 14, and it is possible to suppress the absorption of light transmitted through the reaction tube 13 by the medium between the light reflector 14 and the reaction tube 13. It is desirable to cover the hollow tube 11 and the reaction tube 13 with the light reflector 14. For example, in the photoreaction module 1 shown in Figure 2, the light reflector 14 covers the portion of the hollow tube 11 where there is no reaction tube 13. Also, unlike in Figure 3, if the reaction tube 13 is wound with gaps, the exposed portion of the hollow tube 11 may be covered with the light reflector 14. This construction method prevents the synchrotron radiation from the light source 121 from unnecessarily entering the medium through the hollow tube and overheating the medium. Furthermore, the light reflected in this section undergoes diffuse reflection inside the hollow tube 11 and is directed towards the reaction tube 13, allowing for effective utilization of the synchrotron radiation.

[0031] A-1-6. Retaining Member In one embodiment, the photoreaction module 1 further comprises a retaining member 16. The retaining member 16 contacts the light reflector 14 from the side opposite the reaction tube 13. This allows the contact area between the light reflector 14 and the reaction tube 13 to be stably adjusted to the above-described range. The retaining member 16 has any suitable configuration. Typically, the retaining member 16 has a wire shape. Examples of materials for the retaining member 16 include metal. In one embodiment, the retaining member 16 is spirally wound around the light reflector 14 that covers the reaction tube 13.

[0032] A-2. Casing As shown in Figure 1, the casing 2 typically houses the photoreaction module 1 in a position where it cannot move relative to the casing. In the illustrated example, the refrigerant supply unit 3 and the refrigerant discharge unit 4 are fixed to the casing 2. Thus, the photoreaction module 1 is fixed to the casing 2 via the refrigerant supply unit 3 and the refrigerant discharge unit 4.

[0033] The casing 2 has any suitable configuration capable of housing the photoreaction module 1. In the illustrated example, the casing 2 has a box shape.

[0034] As described above, the casing 2 is configured to receive a medium. The medium is typically a heat transfer medium for cooling the photoreaction module 1. Examples of the medium include water and coolant. In one embodiment, the medium contains water. When water as the medium is supplied to the casing 2, the photoreaction module 1 can be cooled efficiently.

[0035] In one embodiment, the casing 2 is configured to receive and discharge a medium. In the illustrated example, the casing 2 has a supply port 21 and a discharge port 22. Each of the supply port 21 and the discharge port 22 is connected to the internal space of the casing 2. The medium supplied to the casing 2 passes through the supply port 21. The medium discharged from the casing 2 passes through the discharge port 22. The discharge port 22 is located in the axial direction of the hollow tube 11, on the opposite side of the light reflector 14 from the supply port 21.

[0036] B. Details of the Photoreaction Module Below, details of the photoreaction module 1 provided in a photoreaction apparatus according to one embodiment will be described. In one embodiment, the photoreaction module 1 is configured to continuously produce a target compound by irradiating the reactants with infrared light. As shown in Figure 2, the photoreaction module 1 comprises a light emission unit 12, a hollow tube 11, a reaction tube 13, and a light reflector 14, as described above.

[0037] B-1. Details of the Light Emitting Unit In one embodiment, the light emitting unit 12 is configured to emit infrared radiation. The wavelength of the infrared radiation is, for example, 0.7 μm or more and 10 μm or less, preferably 1.0 μm or more and 4.0 μm or less.

[0038] In this embodiment, the light emission unit 12 includes a light source 121 capable of emitting infrared rays and a housing tube 122 capable of transmitting infrared rays.

[0039] The configuration of the light source 121 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of emitting infrared radiation. Examples of infrared-emitting light source 121 include the filament described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4790092 and the metamaterial structure described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7061609. The entire descriptions of these publications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] The infrared-transmitting housing tube 122 is typically made of an infrared-transmitting material. Examples of infrared-transmitting materials include electrofused silica, translucent alumina, silicone resin, and fluororesins such as perfluoroalkoxyalkanes (PFAs). The infrared-transmitting materials can be used alone or in combination. Among the infrared-transmitting materials that make up the housing tube 122, electrofused silica is preferred. With such a configuration, the housing tube 122 can stably transmit infrared rays.

[0041] The transmittance of infrared radiation in the containment tube 122 with wavelengths of 0.7 μm to 10 μm is, for example, 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, when the thickness of the containment tube 122 is converted to 1 mm. On the other hand, the transmittance of infrared radiation in the containment tube 122 with wavelengths of 0.7 μm to 10 μm is, for example, 100% or less, when the thickness of the containment tube 122 is converted to 1 mm. The transmittance of infrared radiation is measured, for example, by the transmission method of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).

[0042] B-2. Details of the Hollow Tube In this embodiment, the hollow tube 11 is capable of transmitting infrared rays. The hollow tube 11 is typically composed of the infrared-transmitting material described above. Among the infrared-transmitting materials that constitute the hollow tube 11, electrofused silica is preferably used. A commercially available electrofused silica product is, for example, GE214 manufactured by Momentive. With such a configuration, the hollow tube 11 can stably transmit infrared rays. The range of infrared transmittance in the hollow tube 11 for wavelengths of 0.7 μm to 10 μm is, for example, the same as the range of infrared transmittance in the housing tube 122 described above for wavelengths of 0.7 μm to 10 μm.

[0043] B-3. Details of the Reaction Tube In the present embodiment, the reaction tube 13 is capable of transmitting infrared rays. The reaction tube 13 is typically made of the above-described infrared-transparent material. Among the infrared-transparent materials that constitute the reaction tube 13, fluororesins are preferred, and perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA) is more preferred. According to this configuration, the reaction tube 13 can stably transmit infrared rays, and appropriate flexibility can be imparted to the reaction tube 13. Therefore, the reaction tube 13 can be stably wound around the hollow tube 11.

[0044] B-4. Details of the Light Reflector In the present embodiment, the light reflector 14 is capable of reflecting infrared rays. The light reflector 14 typically contains a metal material or a reflective coating. Examples of the metal material include aluminum and gold. The metal materials can be used alone or in combination. Examples of the reflective coating include aluminum-containing coatings. The reflective coatings can be used alone or in combination. In one embodiment, the light reflector 14 contains a metal material. Aluminum is preferably mentioned as the metal material. According to this configuration, the light reflector 14 can stably reflect infrared rays, and the thermal conductivity of the light reflector 14 can be stably adjusted to the above-mentioned range.

[0045] B-5. Effects of the Photoreactor Using Infrared Rays Compared with ultraviolet rays, infrared rays are more easily absorbed by various substances. In this regard, according to one embodiment, the light reflector 14 is in contact with at least a part of the reaction tube 13 from the side opposite to the hollow tube 11, so that the inflow of a medium between the light reflector 14 and the reaction tube 13 can be suppressed. Therefore, absorption of the infrared rays transmitted through the reaction tube 13 by the medium can be suppressed, and the infrared rays radiated by the light radiation unit 12 can be efficiently supplied to the reactant contained in the fluid inside the reaction tube 13. Therefore, even with the photoreactor 100 using infrared rays, the photoreaction of the reactant can proceed continuously and smoothly, and the yield of the target compound can be improved.

[0046] The photoreactor according to an embodiment of the present invention can be suitably used, for example, for producing compounds used in various industrial products.

[0047] 1. Photoreaction module 11. Hollow tube 12. Light emission section 121. Light source 122. Housing tube 13. Reaction tube 14. Light reflector 15. Residual air layer 2. Casing 100. Photoreaction apparatus

Claims

1. A photoreaction apparatus comprising: a photoreaction module; a casing housing the photoreaction module, the casing configured to supply a medium for adjusting the temperature of the photoreaction module, wherein the photoreaction module comprises: a hollow tube; a light-emitting section disposed inside the hollow tube; a reaction tube wound around the hollow tube, the reaction tube to which a fluid containing reactants is supplied; and a light reflector in contact with at least a portion of the reaction tube from the side opposite to the hollow tube.

2. The photoreaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting section is configured to emit infrared rays, and each of the hollow tube and the reaction tube is capable of transmitting infrared rays.

3. The photoreaction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the hollow tube and the reaction tube is made of an infrared-transmitting material, and the infrared-transmitting material includes electrofused silica, translucent alumina, silicone resin, or fluororesin.

4. The photoreaction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light reflector is capable of reflecting infrared rays.

5. The photoreaction apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the light reflector includes a metallic material or a reflective coating.

6. The photoreaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a residual air layer is formed between the hollow tube and the reaction tube.

7. The photoreaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the casing is configured to be supplied with water as the medium.

8. The photoreaction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emission section comprises a light source and a housing tube housing the light source, the housing tube being located away from the inner surface of the hollow tube, and a flow path for a refrigerant is formed between the inner surface of the hollow tube and the outer surface of the housing tube.

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