Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method for thermal cracking or steam cracking of hydrocarbons comprising: supersaturating a hydrocarbonaceous liquid or slurry stream in a high shear device with a gas stream comprising steam or hydrogen and optionally one or more C1-C6 hydrocarbons to form a supersaturated dispersion; and introducing the supersaturated dispersion into a thermal cracking or steam cracking reactor to generate a product stream. In some embodiments, the method further comprises contacting the supersaturated dispersion with a cracking catalyst in a slurry, a fluidized catalyst bed, or a fixed catalyst bed. In some embodiments, the cracking catalyst is mixed with the hydrocarbonaceous liquid or slurry stream and the gas stream in the high shear device. Herein also disclosed is a system for thermal cracking or steam cracking of hydrocarbons.

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: Herein disclosed is a method for coal liquefaction comprising: supersaturating a hydrocarbonaceous liquid stream in a high shear device with a gas stream comprising hydrogen and optionally one or more C1-C6 hydrocarbons to form a supersaturated dispersion; and contacting the supersaturated dispersion with coal in the high shear device or in a coal liquefaction reactor to generate a product stream. In some embodiments, the method further comprises utilizing a conversion catalyst, wherein the catalyst is provided as a slurry, a fluidized bed, or a fixed bed. In some embodiments, the method further comprises feeding a conversion catalyst into the high shear device. In some embodiments, the method further comprises recycling at least a portion of an off gas from the reactor, recycling at least a portion of the product stream from the reactor, or both. Herein also disclosed is a system for coal liquefaction.

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. A system for the production of chlorobenzene from benzene 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 an emulsion of chlorine gas bubbles within liquid benzene.

Abstract: A method for halogenating, sulfonating, or sulfo-halogenating a feed comprising paraffin, by subjecting a mixture comprising the feed and a reagent selected from the group consisting of sulfonating agents, halogenating agents, and combinations thereof to a shear rate of at least 20,000 s?1 to produce a high-shear treated product; cooling the high shear-treated product by heat exchange with a heat transfer medium, to produce a cooled product; and separating the high shear-treated product into an offgas and a liquid product comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of sulfonated paraffins, halogenated paraffins, and sulfo-halogenated paraffins. A high shear system for the production of halogenated, sulfonated, or sulfo-halogenated paraffin is also provided.

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: Steps in the processing of oils derived from plants or vegetables include the degumming, deodorizing and bleaching of the oil before it can be used for further applications. By eliminating one or more of these steps from the processing of the oil, followed by hydrogenating the oil to a specified degree of hydrogenation, the resulting upgraded oils can be incorporated into products having commercial applications. The process uses a high shear mixing device and a hydrogenation catalyst. The process can utilize a single or multiple high shear devices, and utilize renewable oils instead of increasingly scarce petroleum based products. The resulting hydrogenated products may then be utilized in a variety of other commercial applications, such as to render cellulosic products water resistant, provide a coating for numerous cellulosic products, adhesive compositions, ink compositions, firelog compositions, drilling muds or asphalt modifiers.

Abstract: A system for producing enhanced wax alternatives, including a high shear device comprising a rotor and a stator, and configured to process petroleum wax and base oil with a hydrogen-containing gas under shearing conditions to form a feedstock, wherein at least one of the rotor and the stator comprises a toothed surface; and a reactor comprising a reactor inlet and a reactor outlet, and configured for hydrogenation of the feedstock for a time sufficient to produce enhanced hydrogenated products, wherein the high shear device is in fluid communication with the reactor, whereby the feedstock is transferable therebetween.

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 comprises 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: Steps in the processing of oils derived from plants or vegetables include the degumming, deodorizing and bleaching of the oil before it can be used for further applications. By eliminating one or more of these steps from the processing of the oil, followed by hydrogenating the oil to a specified degree of hydrogenation, the resulting upgraded oils can be incorporated into products having commercial applications. The process uses a high shear mixing device and a hydrogenation catalyst. The process can utilize a single or multiple high shear devices, and utilize renewable oils instead of increasingly scarce petroleum based products. The resulting hydrogenated products may then be utilized in a variety of other commercial applications, such as to render cellulosic products water resistant, provide a coating for numerous cellulosic products, adhesive compositions, ink compositions, firelog compositions, drilling muds or asphalt modifiers.

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 catalyst composition for producing organic compounds comprising (a) a catalyst that promotes the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) and a methane steam reforming (MSR) catalyst, wherein the catalyst composition causes oxidative dehydrogenation to form reactive species and oligomerization of the reactive species to produce the organic compounds; or (b) a catalyst that promotes syngas generation (SG) and a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) catalyst wherein the catalyst composition causes non-oxidative dehydrogenation to form reactive species and oligomerization of the reactive species to produce the organic compounds; or (c) a SG catalyst, a MSR catalyst, and a FT catalyst wherein the catalyst composition causes non-oxidative dehydrogenation to form reactive species and oligomerization of the reactive species to produce the organic compounds; or (d) a FT catalyst and a MSR catalyst wherein the catalyst composition causes reforming reactions and chain growing reactions to produce the organic compounds.

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 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 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: 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: A method and system for producing dispersed waxes, including a high shear mechanical device. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a dispersion of wax globules in a carrier liquid in a high shear device prior to implementation in a waxy product. In another instance the system for producing waxy products comprises a high shear device for dispersing wax in a carrier liquid.

Abstract: In this disclosure, methods and systems for drug delivery utilizing high shear are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises (1) subjecting a therapeutic fluid containing a drug to high shear; and (2) obtaining a processed therapeutic fluid, wherein the processed therapeutic fluid contains the drug in nano-size. In an embodiment, a method comprises (1) subjecting a drug carrier and a therapeutic fluid containing a drug to high shear; and (2) obtaining a processed therapeutic fluid, wherein the processed therapeutic fluid contains the drug carrier loaded with the drug. In an embodiment, a method comprises (1) applying high shear to a drug carrier and a therapeutic fluid containing a drug; (2) obtaining a processed therapeutic fluid, wherein the processed therapeutic fluid contains the drug-loaded carrier; and (3) modifying the drug-loaded carrier with a targeting moiety to obtain a modified drug-loaded carrier.

Abstract: A method for producing starch hydrolysate that includes processing in a high shear device a hydrolytic solution having a component selected from the group consisting of acids, hydrolytic enzymes, and combinations thereof, and an aqueous starch solution to produce a dispersion, wherein the high shear device is configured with a rotor and a stator; and transferring the dispersion from the high shear device to a reactor from which a starch hydrolysate product comprising dextrose is removed, wherein the operating temperature within the reactor is maintained at a temperature of less than about 160° C.

Abstract: A method for introducing inhibitor into a fluid to be treated by forming a dispersion comprising droplets, particles, or gas bubbles of inhibitor dispersed in a continuous phase of a carrier, wherein forming the dispersion comprises subjecting a mixture of the inhibitor and the carrier to a shear rate of greater than about 20,000 s?1 in a high shear device comprising at least one generator comprising a rotor and a complementarily-shaped stator, wherein the rotor and the stator each comprise grooves, and wherein the grooves of the stator and the grooves of the rotor of each generator are disposed in alternating directions, and using at least a portion of the dispersion to inhibit corrosion.