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 reaction of carbon monoxide with steam over an alkali-modified ruthenium-on-zirconia catalyst has been found to yield surprisingly high yields of hydrogen gas at relatively low temperatures. Catalyst structures, reactors, hydrogen production systems, and methods for producing hydrogen utilizing the alkali-modified ruthenium-on-zirconia catalyst are described. Methods of making catalysts are also described.
Abstract:
A microchannel reactor is described which has at least one process microchannel and at least one heat exchange zone. The microchannel reactor may be used for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.
Abstract:
The disclosed technology relates to a process for conducting a chemical reaction between at least one liquid reactant and at least one gaseous reactant in a process microchannel containing at least one catalyst, the catalyst comprising a solid phase catalyst or a homogeneous catalyst immobilized on a solid. In one embodiment, the process microchannel comprises a processing zone containing one or more structures for disrupting fluid flow and a reaction zone containing one or more structures for contacting and/or supporting the catalyst, the one or more structures for contacting and/or supporting the catalyst containing openings to permit the reactants to flow through the one or more structures and contact the catalyst. The process comprises: forming a reactant mixture comprising at least one liquid reactant and the at least one gaseous reactant; flowing the reactant mixture in the processing zone in contact with the one or more structures for disrupting fluid flow to enhance mixing of the liquid reactant and the gaseous reactant; flowing the reactant mixture in openings in the one or more structures for contacting and/or supporting the catalyst in contact with catalyst; and reacting the at least one liquid reactant with the at least one gaseous reactant to form at least one product. In one embodiment, the process relates to a process for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a process microchannel containing at least one Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst, the catalyst comprising a solid phase catalyst or a homogeneous catalyst immobilized on a solid, the process comprising: flowing reactants comprising H2 and CO in the process microchannel, the inlet superficial velocity of the reactants being at least about 0.1 m/s; contacting the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst with the reactants; and reacting the reactants in the presence of the catalyst to form at least one product.
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 present invention includes a catalyst structure and method of making the catalyst structure for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis that both rely upon the catalyst structure having a first porous structure with a first pore surface area and a first pore size of at least about 0.1 μm, preferably from about 10 μm to about 300 μm. A porous interfacial layer with a second pore surface area and a second pore size less than the first pore size is placed upon the first pore surface area. Finally, a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst selected from the group consisting of cobalt, ruthenium, iron and combinations thereof is placed upon the second pore surface area. Further improvement is achieved by using a microchannel reactor wherein the reaction chamber walls define a microchannel with the catalyst structure placed therein through which pass reactants. The walls may separate the reaction chamber from at least one cooling chamber. The present invention also includes a method of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
The reaction of carbon monoxide with steam over an alkali-modified ruthenium-on-zirconia catalyst has been found to yield surprisingly high yields of hydrogen gas at relatively low temperatures. Catalyst structures, reactors, hydrogen production systems, and methods for producing hydrogen utilizing the alkali-modified ruthenium-on-zirconia catalyst are described. Methods of making catalysts 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.