Spinning disc reactor: Status, challenges and future perspectives for advancement

The spinning disc reactor (SDR) is an intensification reactor which shows outstanding mass and heat transfer characteristics. It has been applied to various applications. This perspective presents an overview of SDR technology development from 1967 to 2024 and provides insights into SDR design and key variables influencing mass transfer and micro-mixing efficiency of SDR. It focuses on the main obstacles to this technology's industrial applications as well as the necessary research to overcome them. In addition, the possible areas of the synergy between the SDR and other technologies to advance chemical processing are highlighted.