Abstract:
The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.
Abstract:
The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.
Abstract:
A microchannel polymerization reactor comprising: (a) a first microchannel adapted to carry a reactant stream; (b) a fluid conduit adapted to carry a fluid in thermal communication with the first microchannel; and (c) a static mixer in fluid communication with the first microchannel adapted to provide a mixing zone operative to change the cross-sectional fluid flow profile at a predetermined point along the first microchannel without changing the primary direction of the reactant stream through the first microchannel. The present invention also includes a method of carrying out a polymerization reaction within a microchannel reactor comprising: (i) directing at least one of monomer, initiator, water, surfactant, coagulant, and solvent into a reactant stream and into contact with reactant flowing within a first microchannel to initiate a polymerization reaction occurring within a first microchannel; and (ii) mixing the reactant of the reactant stream by positioning at least one static mixer in series with the reactant stream, where the static mixer is adapted to change a cross-sectional fluid flow profile of the reactant stream flowing through the first microchannel without changing a primary direction of the reactant stream through the first microchannel.
Abstract:
Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
Abstract:
A microchannel polymerization reactor comprising: (a) a first microchannel adapted to carry a reactant stream; (b) a fluid conduit adapted to carry a fluid in thermal communication with the first microchannel; and (c) a static mixer in fluid communication with the first microchannel adapted to provide a mixing zone operative to change the cross-sectional fluid flow profile at a predetermined point along the first microchannel without changing the primary direction of the reactant stream through the first microchannel. The present invention also includes a method of carrying out a polymerization reaction within a microchannel reactor comprising: (i) directing at least one of monomer, initiator, water, surfactant, coagulant, and solvent into a reactant stream and into contact with reactant flowing within a first microchannel to initiate a polymerization reaction occurring within a first microchannel; and (ii) mixing the reactant of the reactant stream by positioning at least one static mixer in series with the reactant stream, where the static mixer is adapted to change a cross-sectional fluid flow profile of the reactant stream flowing through the first microchannel without changing a primary direction of the reactant stream through the first microchannel.
Abstract:
The disclosed invention relates to a process for distilling a fluid mixture in a microchannel distillation unit, the microchannel distillation unit comprising a plurality of microchannel distillation sections, the fluid mixture comprising a more volatile component and a less volatile component, the process comprising: flowing a vapor phase of the fluid mixture in a first microchannel distillation section in contact with a liquid phase of the fluid mixture, part of the more volatile component transferring from the liquid phase to the vapor phase to form a more volatile component rich vapor phase, part of the less volatile component transferring from the vapor phase to the liquid phase to form a less volatile component rich liquid phase; separating the more volatile component rich vapor phase from the less volatile component rich liquid phase; flowing the less volatile component rich liquid phase to another microchannel distillation section upstream from the first microchannel distillation section; and flowing the more volatile rich vapor phase to another microchannel distillation section downstream from the first microchannel distillation section.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a process for cooling a product in a heat exchanger, the process comprising: flowing a refrigerant through a set of first microchannels in the heat exchanger; flowing a refrigerant through a set of second microchannels in the heat exchanger, the refrigerant flowing through the set of second microchannels being at a lower temperature, a lower pressure or both a lower temperature and a lower pressure than the refrigerant flowing through the set of first microchannels; and flowing a product through a set of third microchannels in the heat exchanger, the product exiting the set of third microchannels having a cooler temperature than the product entering the set of third microchannels. This process is suitable for liquefying gaseous products including natural gas.
Abstract:
The invention provides methods, apparatus and systems in which there is partial boiling of a liquid in a mini-channel or microchannel. The partial boiling removes heat from an exothermic process.
Abstract:
Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
Abstract:
The present invention provides catalysts, reactors, and methods of steam reforming over a catalyst. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described. For example, a coated catalyst was demonstrated to be highly stable under steam reforming conditions (high temperature and high pressure of steam). Methods of making steam reforming catalysts are also described.