Abstract: A process for the conversion of a substantially fluid phase substrate by heterogeneous contact of the substrate or a fragment or derivative thereof with a substantially solid phase agent wherein the solid phase agent is comprised as a surface of a support element or part thereof and the support element is adapted to rotate around an axis such that the solid phase agent provides a rotating surface or part thereof and the substrate provides a film flowing substantially radially outward from the axis in dynamic contact with the agent.

Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having first (5, 19) and second (20, 30) surfaces. Reactant (15) is supplied to the first surface (5, 19) by way of a feed (4), the disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) forms a film (17) on the surface (5, 19). As the reactant (15) traverses the surface (5, 19) of the disc (3), it undergoes chemical or physical processes before being thrown from the periphery of the disc (3) into collector means (7). Means for supplying a heat transfer fluid (35) to the second surface (20, 30) are also provided so as to allow the first surface (5, 19) and hence the reactant (15) to be cooled or heated.

Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a region (13) in an upper surface (5) thereof. Reactant (15) is supplied to the region (13) by way of a feed (4), the disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) moves from the region (13) so as to form a film (17) on the surface (5). As the reactant (15) traverses the surface (5) of the disc (3), it undergoes chemical or physical processes before being thrown from the periphery of the disc (3) into collector means (7).

Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a surface (5) onto which reactant (15) is supplied by way of a feed (4). The disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) spills over the surface (5) so as to form a film (17). A shear member (18, 20) is mounted close to the surface (5) so as to contact the film (17) during operation of the reactor, thereby applying a shearing force to the reactant (15) so as to aid mixing.

Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a surface (5) onto which reactant (15) is supplied by way of a feed (4). The disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) spills over the surface (5) so as to form a film (17). The surface (5) is provided with features to enhance its surface area, such as a metal mesh (60), thereby helping to increase the residence time of the reactant (15) on the surface (5) and to help mixing.

Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a trough (13) in an upper surface (5) thereof. Reactant (15) is supplied to the trough (13) by way of a feed (4), the disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) spills out of the trough (13) so as to form a film (17) on the surface (5). As the reactant (15) traverses the surface (5) of the disc (3), it undergoes chemical or physical processes before being thrown from the periphery of the disc (3) into collector means (7).

Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a trough (13) in an upper surface (5) thereof. Reactant (15) is supplied to the trough (13) by way or a feed (4), the disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) spills out of the trough (13) so as to form a film (17) on the surface (5). As the reactant (15) traverses the surface (5) of the disc (3), it undergoes chemical or physical process before being thrown from the periphery of the disc (3) into collector means (7).

Abstract: A reactor including a rotatable disc (3) having a region (13) in an upper surface (5) thereof. Reactant (15) is supplied to the region (13) by way of a feed (4), the disc (3) is rotated at high speed, and the reactant (15) moves from the region (13) so as to form a film (17) on the surface (5). As the reactant (15) traverses the surface (5) of the disc (3), it undergoes chemical or physical processes before being thrown from the periphery of the disc (3) into collector means (7).

Abstract: A method of reacting an aromatic compound with an immiscible reacting agent involves the passage of the reactant along a flow path having a width of from 10 to 1000 &mgr;m in such a way that essentially laminar flow of the reactant takes place. Reaction takes place across the interface between the phases and without substantial mixing of the unreacted aromatic compound and the reacting agents. A preferred reaction is the nitration reaction which involves reaction of a first phase comprising an organic aromatic compound on a second phase comprising a nitrating agent to produce two new phases of different chemical composition to the starting phases. The aqueous and organic phases produced are ideally separated such that minimum contamination occurs. Other examples of this type of reaction include the sulphonation of an aromatic compound using sulphuric acid as the sulphonating agent. The aromatic compound is slowly consumed in the reaction yielding a single aqueous phase.

Abstract: A bilayer of polymer film arranged in a manner to create respective flow paths for a first and second gaseous or liquid fluid, wherein the ratio of the surface area of polymer film adapted to contact and thereby isolate both fluids to the total matrix volume is in excess of 700 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3, processes for the preparation thereof, heat exchangers comprising such bilayers and uses thereof.

Abstract: Steam-free non-catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons in reaction zomes each having surfaces heated externally and a heated surface to volume ratio above 3 cm-.sup.1, at a rate such that the flow through each reaction zone is essentially laminar.

Abstract: The turbine agitator assembly including a reservoir for liquid, a rotor mounted in the reservoir and with a plurality of radially extending blades, and sparger means for introducing a fluid into liquid in the reservoir. The fluid sparger means and the rotor are so constructed and arranged that, in use, the rotor blades (submerged in the liquid) and/or the liquid flow they generate disperse the sparged fluid. Each of the blades is hollow and has a discontinuous leading edge, only a single trailing edge along an acute angle, no external concave surface and an open radially outer end.

Abstract: An absorption-cycle heat pump comprises a rotary assembly including a vapor generator (GE,14), a condenser (CO,23), an absorber (AB,22), an evaporator (EV) and a solution heat exchanger (X,16). The vapor generator, the condenser and the absorber each include a wall (14, 23, 22 respectively) across which the volatile component (preferably water) and/or a liquid absorbent therefore are caused to flow under the action of the forces generated during rotation of the assembly. The evaporator comprises a plurality of finned heat exchange tubes 31 into which the volatile component is injected with a radially inwardly-directed component of motion, the tubes being of generally elliptical configuration disposed with their major axes extending generally radially.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for organic electrosynthesis (and a cell cascade comprising a plurality of such assemblies) for electrochemical reaction between a liquid first phase and a liquid (organic) second phase. The assembly comprises a non-permeable, electrically charged, rotated electrode, in use in contact with the first phase, to which the second phase is charged, and the reaction product of the two phases is removed from the electrode. Also, a process using the assembly or cascade.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for organic electrosynthesis (and a cell cascade comprising a plurality of such assemblies) for electrochemical reaction between a liquid first phase and a liquid (organic) second phase. The assembly comprises a non-permeable, electrically charged, rotated electrode, in use in contact with the first phase, to which the second phase is charged, and the reaction product of the two phases is removed from the electrode. Also, a process using the assembly or cascade.

Abstract: A vapor compression heat pump is described which comprises an evaporator, a compressor and a condenser and in which at least the evaporator or the condenser is in the form of one or more rotatable plates across the thickness of which plate(s) a heat transfer takes place. Such a heat pump can be designed in compact form.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for effecting electrochemical reaction between two fluid phases, the first of which is liquid, which apparatus is characterized byan electrode permeable to the fluids,means for containing the first fluid phase in contact with the electrode,means for charging the second fluid phase to the electrodemeans for removing a reaction product of the two phases from the electrode, andmeans for rotating the electrode about an axis, such that when the second fluid phase is charged to the electrically charged, rotating electrode permeated with the first fluid phase, the second fluid phase permeates the electrode from the point of charging and the reaction product is removed from the electrode; a series cell cascade comprising at least two such electrode assemblies in series; and a process for effecting electrochemical reaction between two fluid phases, one of which is a liquid, using such an electrode assembly.

Abstract: An evaporator comprises a plurality of substantially parallel plates mounted for rotation about a common axis and in which provision is made for a condensible vapor to flow across a first face of each of said plates and for a liquid, at least a portion of which is to be evaporated, to flow across the second face of each of said plate, which plates are arranged to be rotatable at such a mean acceleration, measured in a radial direction with respect to said axis of rotation, greater than the acceleration due to gravity, said first face of each of said plates has a surface designed to discourage formation of a continuous liquid film thereon. The evaporator may be used to concentrate solutions, e.g. of depleted brine or aqueous caustic soda.

Abstract: A rotary device comprising a rotor which comprises (i) a first annular compartment in which is disposed a permeable element, and (ii) a second annular compartment and which is adapted such that a liquid to be degassed flows radially outwards, in counter-current flow to a displacing gas, as a continuous phase, through the pores of the permeable element and then radially inwards through the second compartment to be discharged from the rotor adjacent the axis of rotation thereof. The device is particularly suitable for the deaeration of water.

Abstract: One or more components of a fluid fossil fuel are separated by subjecting the fluid fossil fuel to a centrifugal force in a rotor. A lighter component is withdrawn from adjacent the axis of the rotor and a heavier component is withdrawn from adjacent its periphery. Thus crude oil may be stabilized or dehydrated or natural gas may be dried by this method.