Abstract: A method for removing contaminant from feedwater by forming a dispersion comprising bubbles of a treatment gas in a continuous phase comprising feedwater, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter of less than about 5 ?m and wherein the treatment gas is selected from air, oxygen, and chlorine. A method for removing contaminants from a feedwater by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising feedwater and a treatment gas to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 in a high shear device to produce a dispersion of treatment gas in a continuous phase of the feedwater. A system for treating feedwater to remove contaminants therefrom is also presented, the system comprising at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one generator comprising a rotor and a stator separated by a shear gap; and a pump configured for delivering feedwater and treatment gas to the high shear mixing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing dialkyl ketones are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with the olefins (e.g. ethylene) in a liquid solvent. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time.

Abstract: A method for producing nitrobenzene is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising benzene-containing droplets or particles dispersed in a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid, wherein said particles have a mean diameter less than one micron, and subjecting the dispersion to reaction conditions comprising a pressure in the range of about 203 kPa (2 atm) to about 6080 kPa (60 atm) and a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C., whereby at least a portion of said benzene is nitrated to form nitrobenzene. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of chlorobenzene is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the chlorobenzene production process.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device in a process for production of acetyl salicylic acid, by contacting acetic anhydride with salicylic acid in a high shear device. The disclosed process makes possible a decrease in mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing production of acetyl salicylic acid. A system for production of acetyl salicylic acid is also provided in which a reactor is configured to receive the output from a high shear device, which is configured to receive, via one or more inlets, acetic anhydride, and salicylic acid and generate a fine dispersion or emulsion of reactants.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of sulfolene as a reactor device is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the sulfolene production process. A system for the production of sulfolene from butadiene and sulfur dioxide, the system comprising a reactor and an external high shear mixer the outlet of which is fluidly connected to the inlet of the reactor; the high shear mixer capable of providing a dispersion of sulfur dioxide gas bubbles within a liquid, the bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of ethyl acetate are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and mixing of a carbonyl co-reactant (e.g. acetic acid, acetaldehyde) with ethanol. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time with existing catalysts.

Abstract: A method for forming C2+ hydrocarbons by forming a dispersion comprising synthesis gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid phase comprising hydrocarbons in a high shear device, wherein the average bubble diameter of the synthesis gas bubbles is less than about 1.5 ?m, introducing the dispersion into a reactor, and removing a product stream comprising C2+ hydrocarbons from the reactor. A system for converting carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas into C2+ hydrocarbons including at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one rotor and at least one stator separated by a shear gap, wherein the high shear mixing device is capable of producing a tip speed of the at least one rotor of greater than 22.9 m/s (4,500 ft/min), and a pump configured for delivering a fluid stream comprising liquid medium to the high shear mixing device.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device in a process for production of starch by hydration and disruption of corn kernel particles in the presence of sulfur dioxide or bisulfite ions makes possible a decrease in mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing starch production. A system for production of starch is also provided in which a high shear mixing device is configured to receive an aqueous corn slurry from a pump that is disposed between the reactor and a gaseous sulfur dioxide inlet of the high shear mixing device. The high shear mixing device is also configured to generate a fine dispersion of sulfur dioxide bubbles and small corn particles in the slurry. A reactor is configured to receive the output from the high shear mixing device and to provide for starch production.

Abstract: A method for alkylating a hydrocarbon comprising at least one isoparaffin and at least one olefin by introducing liquid acid catalyst and the hydrocarbon into a high shear reactor, forming an emulsion comprising droplets comprising hydrocarbon in a continuous acid phase, wherein the droplets have a mean diameter of less than about 5 ?m, introducing the emulsion into a vessel operating under suitable alkylation conditions whereby at least a portion of the isoparaffin is alkylated with the olefin to form alkylate, and removing a product stream comprising alkylate from the vessel. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device in a process for production of starch hydrolysate by reacting starch with a hydrolytic agent makes possible a decrease in mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing production of starch hydrolysate. A system for production of starch hydrolysate is also provided in which a reactor is configured to receive the output from a high shear device, which is configured to receive a starch and lysing reagent. The high shear device is configured to generate a fine dispersion or emulsion of lysing.

Abstract: A method for hydrocracking a feedstream comprising liquid hydrocarbon by forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen-containing gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid hydrocarbon, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter of less than about 5 ?m, and introducing the dispersion into a hydrocracker comprising hydrocracking catalyst. A method for hydrocracking by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbons to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 to produce a dispersion of hydrogen in a continuous phase of the liquid hydrocarbons, and introducing the dispersion into a fixed bed hydrocracking reactor from which a hydrocracked product is removed. A system for hydrocracking a hydrocarbonaceous feedstream including at least one high shear device capable of producing a tip speed of the at least one rotor of greater than 5.0 m/s, and a hydrocracker containing hydrocracking catalyst and comprising an inlet fluidly connected to an outlet of the high shear device.

Abstract: A high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process and system for the production of cyclohexane is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the cyclohexane production process. A system for the production of cyclohexane from benzene and hydrogen, the system comprising a reactor, solid catalyst, and a high shear device, the outlet of which is fluidly connected to the inlet of the reactor; the high shear device capable of providing an emulsion of hydrogen gas bubbles within a liquid comprising benzene, the bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of chloral as a reactor device is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the chloral production process. A system for the production of chloral from acetaldehyde and chlorine, the system comprising a reactor and an external high shear device the outlet of which is fluidly connected to the inlet of the reactor; the high shear device capable of providing a dispersion of chlorine gas bubbles within a liquid, the bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 100 ?m.

Abstract: A method for producing benzoic acid or a methylbenzoic acid isomer is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising oxygen-containing gas bubbles dispersed in either toluene or an xylene isomer, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter less than 1 micron. The dispersion is then subjected to reaction conditions comprising a pressure of less than about 1013 kPa and a temperature of less than about 160° C., whereby at least a portion of the toluene or xylene isomer is partially oxidized to form benzoic acid or the corresponding methylbenzoic acid isomer, respectively. In some embodiments, the methylbenzoic acid isomer is an intermediate compound, and the method further includes subjecting any unreacted xylene isomer and the intermediate compound to further oxidization, to form 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, or 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid. A system of apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the hydrogenation of aldehydes and/or ketones are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of the hydrogen-containing gas (e.g. H2 gas) in the aldehydes and/or ketones. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce hydrogenation time with existing catalysts.

Abstract: A method for producing toluene diisocyanate is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising phosgene gas bubbles dispersed in toluene diamine liquid phase, wherein said gas bubbles have a mean diameter less than 1 micron; and subjecting the dispersion to phosgenation reaction conditions, whereby at least a portion of the toluene diamine is phosgenated to form toluene diisocyanate. A system for carrying out the phosgenation of toluene diamine is also disclosed.

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: Methods and systems for the production of phthalic acid diesters are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and mixing of a phthalic acid derivative with alcohol. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time with existing catalysts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of linear alkylbenzens are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and mixing of one or more olefins (e.g. propylene) with an aromatic. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time with existing catalysts.