Theme overview

Reaction engineering is a discipline within chemical engineering that deals with chemical reactors and catalysis, or the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst.

Through this research theme, scientists aim to improve the way chemical reactions are carried out through the design of more effective catalysts and catalytic routes and through the intensification of chemical reactions via new reactor designs.

Their work hopes to make chemical processes more flexible and efficient and to minimise the adverse effects that the production of chemicals and fuels have on the world’s resources and the natural environment.

Example projects within this research theme include the conversion of biomass into fuels, addressing the plastic waste problem and hydrogen generation in fuel cells.

Aside from this, the reactions engineering research theme also covers an important aspect of chemical engineering called green chemistry, which involves making all chemical processes more environmentally friendly.

Highlight videos

Impact Acceleration: Flow Chemistry

Dr Mimi Hii and Professor Klaus Hellgardt reveal how flow chemistry will change the way in which we manufacture everyday products. Find out more https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/funding-opportunities/internal-funding-opportunities/impact-acceleration-accounts/

Impact Acceleration: Flow Chemistry

Impact Acceleration: Flow Chemistry

We look at how flow chemistry will change the way in which we manufacture everyday products.

Dr Mimi Hii and Professor Klaus Hellgardt reveal how flow chemistry will change the way in which we manufacture everyday products. Find out more https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/funding-opportunities/internal-funding-opportunities/impact-acceleration-accounts/

Imperial College London | Fully Charged

Imperial College London | Fully Charged

Robert Llewellyn visits Imperial College London to learn about the future of energy.