Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090004074 | Hydrogen peroxide production in microchannel reactors - The present invention includes methods and apparatuses that utilize microchannel technology and, more specifically in exemplary form, producing hydrogen peroxide using microchannel technology. An exemplary process for producing hydrogen peroxide comprises flowing feed streams into intimate fluid communication with one another within a process microchannel to form a reactant mixture stream comprising a hydrogen source and an oxygen source such as, without limitation, hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. Thereafter, a catalyst is contacted by the reactant mixture and is operative to convert a majority of the reactant mixture to hydrogen peroxide that is withdrawn via an egressing product stream. During the hydrogen peroxide chemical reaction, exothermic energy is generated. This exothermic energy is absorbed by the fluid within the microchannel as well as the microchannel itself. In a preferred embodiment, a heat exchange fluid is in thermal communication with the microchannel housing the exothermic reaction and is operative to absorb a portion of this exothermic energy and transfer such energy from the microchannel. | 01-01-2009 |
20090074627 | MANIFOLD DESIGNS, AND FLOW CONTROL IN MULITCHANNEL MICROCHANNEL DEVICES - 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. | 03-19-2009 |
20090131612 | Microchannel polymerization reactor - 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. | 05-21-2009 |
20090196805 | In Situ Mixing in Microchannels - The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus in which one fluid passes through an orifice or orifices and mixes with another fluid as it flows through a microchannel. | 08-06-2009 |
20090214404 | Process and Apparatus for Improved Methods for Making Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) - The invention provides methods, apparatus and chemical systems for making vinyl acetate from ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid. | 08-27-2009 |
20100196226 | STEAM REFORMING METHODS AND CATALYSTS - 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. | 08-05-2010 |
20100258198 | Flow Control Through Plural, Parallel Connection Channels To/From a Manifold - The invention provides apparatuses and techniques for controlling flow between a manifold and two or more connecting microchannels. Flow between plural connecting microchannels, that share a common manifold, can be made more uniform by the use of flow straighteners and distributors that equalize flow in connecting channels. Alternatively, flow can be made more uniform by sections of narrowed diameter within the channels. Methods of making apparatus and methods of conducting unit operations in connecting channels are also described. | 10-14-2010 |
20100300550 | Multi-Stream Microchannel Device - Provided is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc. | 12-02-2010 |
20110182804 | Protected Alloy Surfaces In Microchannel Apparatus and Catalysts, Alumina Supported Catalysts, Catalyst Intermediates, and Methods of Forming Catalysts and Microchannel Apparatus - The invention describes microchannel apparatus and catalysts that contain a layer of a metal aluminide or are made in a process in which a metal aluminide layer is formed as an intermediate. Certain processing conditions have surprisingly been found to result in superior coatings. The invention includes chemical processes conducted through apparatus described in the specification. Other catalysts and catalyst synthesis techniques are also described. | 07-28-2011 |
20110236279 | INTEGRATED REACTORS, METHODS OF MAKING SAME, AND METHODS OF CONDUCTING SIMULTANEOUS EXOTHERMIC AND ENDOTHERMIC REACTIONS - Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results. | 09-29-2011 |
20110300039 | Integrated Combustion Reactors And Methods Of Conducting Simultaneous Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions - Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results, and/or results that can not be achieved with any prior art devices. | 12-08-2011 |
20120031349 | Methods of Making Devices By Stacking Sheets and Processes of Conducting Unit Operations Using Such Devices - New designs, methods and processes are described that in which laminated devices and configured in a style named the “ortho” style. To form a device in the ortho style, plates or sheets are machined to have apertures and then stacked together such that the apertures connect and fluid can flow through the device in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of sheet thickness. Various laminated devices and processes using them are also described. For example, devices in which non-rectangular microchannels conform around reaction chambers or other bodies that need to be heated or cooled, are described. Features that separate or trip boundary layer and enhance heat transfer are also described. | 02-09-2012 |
20130023407 | STEAM REFORMING METHODS AND CATALYSTS - 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. | 01-24-2013 |
20130165536 | PARTIAL BOILING IN MINI AND MICRO-CHANNELS - 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. | 06-27-2013 |
20130186607 | Multi-Stream Microchannel Device - Provided is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc. | 07-25-2013 |
20140109976 | Multi-Stream Multi-Channel Process and Apparatus - Provided is a process and apparatus for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a millichannel apparatus, which millichannel apparatus may comprise a heat exchanger which may be integrated with a millichannel reactor to form an integrated millichannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated millichannel apparatus to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the millichannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc. | 04-24-2014 |
20140134547 | INTEGRATED REACTORS, METHODS OF MAKING SAME, AND METHODS OF CONDUCTING SIMULTANEOUS EXOTHERMIC AND ENDOTHERMIC REACTIONS - Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results. | 05-15-2014 |
20140246625 | Integrated Combustion Reactor And Methods Of Conducting Simultaneous Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions - Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results, and/or results that can not be achieved with any prior art devices. | 09-04-2014 |
20140332081 | MANIFOLD DESIGNS, AND FLOW CONTROL IN MULTICHANNEL MICROCHANNEL DEVICES - 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. | 11-13-2014 |
20140377144 | In Situ Mixing in Microchannels - The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus in which one fluid passes through an orifice or orifices and mixes with another fluid as it flows through a microchannel. | 12-25-2014 |