The Renewable Energy Laboratory at the National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan) is proud to be the first research group in Central Asia to implement the Vapourtec R-Series continuous flow chemistry platform for sustainable chemical synthesis. Our group utilizes this system for the production of key platform chemicals, notably furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, which are subsequently upgraded into active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), biopolymers, and resins. Although operational challenges – such as system blockages due to reaction conditions and unwanted byproduct formation – are occasionally encountered, these are efficiently resolved through the rapid technical support provided by Vapourtec engineers. This responsiveness greatly enhances the efficiency and continuity of our research activities.
Our system configuration includes the Vapourtec R-Series unit, integrated with Hastelloy high-temperature reactor coils, packed columns, and photochemical reactors, offering precise control over a wide range of reaction parameters. This robust and versatile setup enables high-temperature, high-pressure, and photochemical transformations, expanding the frontiers of flow chemistry applications in the region.