The application provides a self-flow channel type photochemical reactor and method, and belongs to the technical field of photochemical reaction equipment, and aims to solve the problems of low
light energy utilization rate and easy
pollution and blockage of existing reactors. The reactor comprises a
liquid column generating device, a reaction cavity, a
light source and a product collecting device, the
light source and the product collecting device are arranged at two ends of the reaction cavity, the
liquid column generating device is on the same side of the
light source, and the reaction liquid is formed into a
liquid column which continuously flows in a preset path and whose side surface does not contact any
solid in the reaction cavity, and a space filled with gaseous medium is formed between the liquid column and the inner wall of the reaction cavity. The method comprises forming a liquid column without
solid wall contact, introducing a
light beam to realize total reflection, performing photochemical reaction and collecting products. The application eliminates the problems of
light energy loss and
pollution of the
pipe wall by constructing a liquid column optical
waveguide without
solid wall, and has the beneficial effects of high
light energy utilization rate, excellent gas-liquid
mass transfer and heat dissipation performance and simple structure.