Abstract:
Herein disclosed is a method of processing a medium containing algae microorganisms to produce algal oil and by-products, comprising providing the medium containing algae microorganisms; passing the medium through a rotor-stator high shear device; disintegrating cell walls of and intracellular organelles in the algae microorganisms to release algal oil and by-products; and removing the algae medium from an outlet of the high shear device. In an embodiment, disintegration is enhanced by a penetrating gas capable of permeating the cell wall. In an embodiment, enhancement is accomplished by super-saturation of the penetrating gas in the medium or increased gas pressure in a vessel. In an embodiment, the penetrating gas is different from the gas produced by the cell during respiration. A suitable system is also discussed in this disclosure.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed is a system for producing an organic, the system including at least one high shear mixing device having at least one rotor and at least one stator separated by a shear gap, wherein the shear gap is the minimum distance between the at least one rotor and the at least one stator; a pump configured for delivering a fluid stream comprising liquid medium and light gas to the at least one high shear mixing device, wherein the at least one high shear mixing device is configured to form a dispersion of the light gas in the liquid medium; and a reactor comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein the at least one inlet of the reactor is fluidly connected to the at least one high shear mixing device, and wherein the at least one outlet is configured for extracting the organic therefrom.
Abstract:
A composition comprises a plurality of microbeads dispersed within a base material. The plurality of microbeads is formed from a material comprising a renewable triglyceride wax having an I.V. of less than 70. The base material may be selected from the group consisting of soap, toothpaste, deodorant, mascara, ink, and cosmetics. The renewable triglyceride wax may be derived from oils selected from the group consisting of soybean, soy stearine, stearine, castor, corn, cottonseed, rape, canola, sunflower, palm, palm kernel, coconut, crambe, linseed, peanut, or fats, such as animal fats, including lard and tallow, and blends thereof.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed in a method comprising: shearing a feed comprising a solid component in a high shear device to produce a product, at least a portion of which comprises sheared solids; and separating at least some of the sheared solids from the product to produce a component-reduced product, wherein the solid component in the feed stream comprises a first particle density, and wherein the sheared solids in the product comprise a second particle density greater than the first particle density. In some embodiments, the solid component of the feed comprises gas trapped therein, and wherein at least a portion of said gas is released from the solid component upon shearing. Herein also is disclosed a method of comminuting solids in a feed stream comprising a solid component by processing the feed stream in a high shear device to produce a product stream comprising comminuted solids.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed is a reactor comprising a housing; an inlet tube having a section with perforations along its length, wherein the inlet tube section is within the reactor housing; an outlet tube having a section with perforations along its length, wherein the outlet tube section is within the reactor housing; and at least one cylinder made of sintered metal contained within the reactor housing, wherein the sintered metal is catalytically active. In some cases, the sintered metal in the reactor comprises a porous metallic multifunctional (PMM) catalyst. Other reactor designs and the method of use are also described herein.
Abstract:
Method of producing glycerol that includes mixing a peroxide stream with an olefenic alcohol stream to form a feed stream; processing the feed stream in a high shear device to produce a high shear dispersion of peroxide and olefinic alcohol, wherein the high shear device is configured with a rotor and a stator separated by a shear gap; and contacting the high shear dispersion with a catalyst in a reactor to produce glycerol.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed is a reactor comprising a housing; an inlet tube having a section with perforations along its length, wherein the inlet tube section is within the reactor housing; an outlet tube having a section with perforations along its length, wherein the outlet tube section is within the reactor housing; and at least one cylinder made of sintered metal contained within the reactor housing, wherein the sintered metal is catalytically active. In some cases, the sintered metal in the reactor comprises a porous metallic multifunctional (PMM) catalyst. Other reactor designs and the method of use are also described herein.
Abstract:
Embodiments disclosed herein describe a system for producing enhanced wax alternatives, the system that includes a reactor having a reactor inlet and a reactor outlet; and a high shear device having a device inlet, a device outlet, a rotor, a stator, and a catalytic surface, wherein the device outlet is in fluid communication with the reactor inlet.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed is a method of hydrating an alkylene oxide that includes introducing an alkylene oxide into water to form a first stream; flowing the first stream through a high shear device to produce a second stream; and contacting the second stream with a catalyst in a reactor to hydrate the alkylene oxide and form an alkylene glycol.
Abstract:
Herein disclosed is a method of processing a medium containing algae microorganisms to produce algal oil and by-products, comprising providing the medium containing algae microorganisms; passing the medium through a rotor-stator high shear device; disintegrating cell walls of and intracellular organelles in the algae microorganisms to release algal oil and by-products; and removing the algae medium from an outlet of the high shear device. In an embodiment, disintegration is enhanced by a penetrating gas capable of permeating the cell wall. In an embodiment, enhancement is accomplished by super-saturation of the penetrating gas in the medium or increased gas pressure in a vessel. In an embodiment, the penetrating gas is different from the gas produced by the cell during respiration. A suitable system is also discussed in this disclosure.