Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of generating products from microorganisms, comprising super-saturating a liquid medium with a gas consumable by the microorganisms in a high shear device operating at a shear rate of greater than 1,000,000 s?1 to produce a gas-super-saturated (GSS) medium, wherein the GSS medium maintains a GSS level for at least 10 minutes; feeding the GSS medium to microorganisms; allowing the microorganisms to grow by consuming the gas and generate products via photosynthesis or chemosynthesis; and recovering the products. In an embodiment, the microorganisms are genetically modified. In an embodiment, the microorganisms include bacteria, protozoa, algae, or fungi, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the gas consumable by the microorganisms is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, oxygen, methane, and combinations thereof. A suitable system is also discussed in this disclosure.

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 method of producing value-added product from light gases, the method comprising: (a) providing light gases comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 compounds and combinations thereof; (b) intimately mixing the light gases with a liquid carrier in a high shear device to form a dispersion of gas in the liquid carrier, wherein the dispersion is supersaturated with the light gases and comprises gas bubbles at least some of which have a mean diameter of less than or equal to about 5 micron(s); (c) allowing the value-added product to form and utilizing vacuum to extract unreacted light gases from the liquid carrier; (d) extracting the value-added product; wherein the value-added product comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of higher hydrocarbons, hydrogen, olefins, alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones. A system for producing value-added product from light gases is also disclosed.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a method is described wherein the method comprises mixing a therapeutic gas or a therapeutic liquid or a combination thereof and a liquid carrier in a high shear device to produce a dispersion; and administering the produced dispersion intravenously to a patient; wherein the produced dispersion contains nanobubbles of the therapeutic gas or droplets of the therapeutic liquid with a mean diameter of less than about 1.5 ?m. In this disclosure, a system is also described wherein the system comprises a therapeutic gas source or a therapeutic liquid source or a combination thereof; a liquid carrier source; a high shear device (HSD) having an inlet, an outlet, at least one rotor, and at least one stator separated by a shear gap; and a pump configured to control the flow rate and residence time of a fluid passing through the high shear device.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of processing oil, comprising providing a high shear device comprising at least one rotor and at least one complementarily-shaped stator configured to mix a gas with a liquid; contacting a gas with an oil in the high shear device, wherein the gas is an inert gas or a reactive gas; and forming a product, wherein the product is a solution, a dispersion, or combination thereof. Herein also disclosed is a high shear system for processing oil, comprising; at least one high shear device, having an inlet and at least one rotor and at least one complementarily-shaped stator configured to mix a gas with a liquid; a gas source fluidly connected to the inlet; an oil source fluidly connected to the inlet; and a pump positioned upstream of a high shear device, the pump in fluid connection with the inlet and the oil source.

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: A method and system for processing naphtha, including a high shear mechanical device. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a dispersion of gas in a naphtha hydrocarbon liquid in a high shear device prior to introduction in a cracking reactor/furnace. In another instance the system for processing naphtha comprises a high shear device for mechanically shearing hydrocarbons.

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: A system for converting a first substance into a second substance, the system including a mixing reactor configured to provide a reactant mixture comprising a first reactant, a second reactant, and a solvent; and a high shear device fluidly connected to the mixing reactor, wherein the high shear device comprises at least one rotor/stator set comprising a rotor and a complementarily-shaped stator symmetrically positioned about an axis of rotation and separated by a shear gap, wherein the shear gap is in the range of from about 10 microns to about 250 microns; and a motor configured for rotating the rotor about the axis of rotation, whereby energy can be transferred from the rotor to the reactants thereby inducing reactions between the first reactant and the second reactant to form a product.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method, comprising: forming a dispersion under high shear comprising gas bubbles of an oxidant dispersed in a liquid phase, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter of less than 1.5 micron; and contacting the dispersion with an oxidation catalyst to produce a product stream, wherein the product stream comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acid, benzoic acid, 2-methylbenzoic acid, 3-methylbenzoic acid, 4-methylbenzoic acid, and phthalic anhydride. In some cases, forming the dispersion under high shear comprises introducing the oxidant and the liquid phase into a high shear device comprising at least one rotor and at least one complementarily-shaped stator. Herein also disclosed is a system for producing a substance selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acid, benzoic acid, 2-methylbenzoic acid, 3-methylbenzoic acid, 4-methylbenzoic acid, and phthalic anhydride.

Abstract: A method for producing a product comprising at least one selected from C2+ hydrocarbons, oxygenates, and combinations thereof from light gas comprising one or more of carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, and methanol by forming a dispersion of light gas in a liquid feed, wherein the dispersion is formed at least in part with high shear forces and wherein at least one of the liquid feed and the light gas is a hydrogen source. A system for carrying out the method is also presented.

Abstract: A method for culturing algae comprising, forming an emulsion comprising a gaseous stream and a media utilizing a high shear device, wherein the emulsion comprises gas bubbles, and wherein the high shear device comprises at least one toothed rotor and at least one stator; introducing the emulsion into a bioreactor; and introducing an algae into the bioreactor for growing the algae culture. Additionally, a method for producing liquids from an algae culture, the method comprising forming an emulsion comprising a buffer and algal components, wherein the emulsion comprises algal component globules; separating algal hydrocarbons; and processing algal hydrocarbons to form liquid hydrocarbons. Additionally, a system for producing liquids from an algae culture comprising at least one high shear device.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an apparatus that includes a porous rotor positioned about an axis of rotation and surrounding an interior space, wherein the porous rotor includes sintered metal or ceramic; an outer casing, wherein the outer casing and the porous rotor are separated by an annular space; and a motor configured for rotating the porous rotor about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a system for applying shear stress ex-situ to a fluid. In some embodiments, the system comprises a shear device; and at least one device configured for intravenous administration of the fluid to a patient, the devices defining a fluid passage configured to be sterilized and maintained sterile during use, the fluid comprising at least one therapeutic fluid, blood, or a combination thereof. The shear device of the system is in fluid communication with the at least one device configured for intravenous administration of the fluid to a patient. Herein also disclosed is a method of preparing a fluid for intravenous administration to a patient.

Abstract: A reactor comprising at least one contact surface made from, coated with, or impregnated by a catalyst, wherein the contact surface comprises a sintered metal or a ceramic, and wherein the reactor is configured to subject a reactant stream to shear. A system for carrying out a heterogeneously catalyzed reaction, the system comprising a reactor as described above and a pump configured for delivering reactants to the at least one reactor. A method for carrying out a heterogeneously-catalyzed reaction by introducing reactants into a reactor comprising at least one contact surface made from, coated with, or impregnated by a catalyst under conditions which promote production of a desired product, wherein the contact surface comprises a sintered metal or a ceramic, and forming a dispersion of reactants within the reactor, wherein the dispersion comprises droplets or gas bubbles of reactant with an average diameter of less than about 5 ?m.

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 method of processing oil, comprising providing a high shear device comprising at least one rotor and at least one complementarily-shaped stator configured to mix a gas with a liquid; contacting a gas with an oil in the high shear device, wherein the gas is an inert gas or a reactive gas; and forming a product, wherein the product is a solution, a dispersion, or combination thereof. Herein also disclosed is a high shear system for processing oil, comprising; at least one high shear device, having an inlet and at least one rotor and at least one complementarily-shaped stator configured to mix a gas with a liquid; a gas source fluidly connected to the inlet; an oil source fluidly connected to the inlet; and a pump positioned upstream of a high shear device, the pump in fluid connection with the inlet and the oil source.

Abstract: A method of reacting one or more components in a liquid phase to form an organic product, the method including feeding a carbon-based gas to a high shear device; feeding a hydrogen-based liquid medium to the high shear device; using the high shear device to form a dispersion comprising the carbon-based gas and the hydrogen-based liquid medium, wherein the dispersion comprises gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than about 5 ?m; introducing the dispersion into a reactor; and reacting the dispersion to produce the organic product.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a method is described wherein the method comprises mixing a therapeutic gas or a therapeutic liquid or a combination thereof and a liquid carrier in a high shear device to produce a dispersion; and administering the produced dispersion intravenously to a patient; wherein the produced dispersion contains nanobubbles of the therapeutic gas or droplets of the therapeutic liquid with a mean diameter of less than about 1.5 ?m. In this disclosure, a system is also described wherein the system comprises a therapeutic gas source or a therapeutic liquid source or a combination thereof; a liquid carrier source; a high shear device (HSD) having an inlet, an outlet, at least one rotor, and at least one stator separated by a shear gap; and a pump configured to control the flow rate and residence time of a fluid passing through the high shear device.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a method is described wherein the method comprises mixing a therapeutic gas or a therapeutic liquid or a combination thereof and a liquid carrier in a high shear device to produce a dispersion; and administering the produced dispersion intravenously to a patient; wherein the produced dispersion contains nanobubbles of the therapeutic gas or droplets of the therapeutic liquid with a mean diameter of less than about 1.5 ?m. In this disclosure, a method is described wherein the method comprises mixing a therapeutic gas or a therapeutic liquid or a combination thereof and a liquid carrier in a high shear device to produce a therapeutic fluid, wherein said therapeutic fluid is a solution, a dispersion, or combination thereof and administering the produced therapeutic fluid intravenously to a patient; wherein the solution is supersaturated with the therapeutic gas, the therapeutic liquid, or combination thereof.