A Continuous Flow Photothermal Solid-Gas Reactor is a sophisticated platform designed to sustain chemical transformations by using high-intensity light to excite a solid catalyst while reactants flow through the system. Unlike batch systems, continuous flow reactors allow for steady-state kinetic studies, making them essential for scaling up technologies like CO2 hydrogenation and methane dry reforming.

A continuous flow setup must manage a constant stream of reactants while ensuring every molecule has an opportunity to interact with the light-activated catalyst. (1) Optical Window & Chamber: Normally high-purity Fused Silica (Quartz) or Sapphire is used for optical window. These materials offer high transmission (usually >90%) across the UV-Vis-NIR spectrum and can withstand the pressure differentials required for flow control. (2) Chamber Geometry: Often a "Pancake" or "D-shaped" reactor. The volume is minimized to reduce residence time distribution (RTD) and ensure that the light flux is uniform across the entire catalyst surface.Reflective Internals: The chamber walls are often polished to a mirror finish or gold-plated to reflect stray photons back onto the catalyst bed, maximizing energy efficiency.

References:

J. H. A. Schuurmans, et. al. Solar-Driven Continuous CO2 Reduction to CO and CH4 using Heterogeneous Photothermal Catalysts: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges, ChemSusChem, 2024, 17, e202301405

H. He, et. al. Continuous Flow Photothermal Catalytic CO2 Reduction: Materials, Mechanisms, and System Design. ACS Catal. 2025, 15, 12, 10480–10520