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, 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 acetic anhydride that includes operating a high shear device at a shear rate of greater than about 20,000 s?1, wherein the high shear device is configured with a rotor and a stator; forming in the high shear device an emulsion having a liquid catalyst dispersed in an acetic acid solution; introducing the emulsion into a reactor at conditions suitable for the production of ketene; and reacting at least some ketene with acetic acid to produce acetic anhydride.

Abstract: A system for the production of aerated fuels, the system including a high shear device configured to produce an emulsion of aerated fuel comprising gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid fuel, wherein the gas bubbles in the emulsion have an average bubble diameter of less than about 5 ?m, and an internal combustion engine configured for the combustion of the emulsion, and wherein the gas comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of air, water vapor, methanol, nitrous oxide, propane, nitromethane, oxalate, organic nitrates, acetone, kerosene, toluene, and methyl-cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl.

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 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: 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: 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.

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: A method for producing aerated fuels that includes introducing a gas and a liquid fuel into a high shear device; and processing the gas and the liquid fuel in the high shear device at a shear rate of greater than about 20,000 s?1 to form an emulsion of aerated fuel comprising gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid fuel.

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: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a system for producing enhanced wax alternatives, the system that includes a reactor having a reactor inlet and a reactor outlet; and a high shear device having a device inlet, a device outlet, a rotor, a stator, and a catalytic surface, wherein the device outlet is in fluid communication with the reactor inlet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the hydroxylation of olefenic alcohols are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote mixing and solubility of peroxides with the olefenic alcohol. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce hydroxylation time with existing catalysts.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of reacting one or more components in a liquid medium to form an organic product that may include feeding a carbonaceous gas and a liquid medium to a high shear device; processing the gas and the liquid medium under shearing conditions in the high shear device, resulting in an emulsion comprising at least some of the carbonaceous gas dispersed in the liquid medium, wherein the dispersed carbonaceous gas comprises gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than about 1 ?m; and reacting the emulsion to produce the organic product.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a system for producing enhanced wax alternatives. The system comprises a reactor with at least one inlet and one outlet and at least one high shear mixing device with at least one inlet and one outlet. The at least one outlet of said high shear mixing device is in fluid communication with at least one inlet of said reactor. The high shear mixing device may comprise counter rotating rotors. The high shear mixing device may also comprise at least one catalytic surface. Embodiments disclosed herein also describe a method of producing enhanced wax alternatives. The method comprises (1) providing petroleum wax and base oil; (2) mixing said petroleum wax and base oil with a hydrogen-containing gas in a high shear device to form a feedstock; and (3) hydrogenating said feedstock for a time sufficient to produce enhanced hydrogenated products.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe method of producing hydrogenated products, the method that includes providing a wax and an oil; processing the wax and the oil with a gas under high shear conditions to form a high shear product; and hydrogenating the high shear product to produce hydrogenated products. The wax may be a petroleum wax comprising alkane hydrocarbons with formula CnH2n+2, wherein n=20-40.

Abstract: A system for stripping fatty acids from triglycerides, the system including a reactor; a heating apparatus whereby a contents of the reactor may be heated to a temperature in the range of from 200° C. to 600° C.; and a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a system for hydrating an alkylene oxide that includes a high shear device configured to form a dispersion of an alkylene oxide and water, the high shear device comprising a rotor, a stator, and a catalytic surface, wherein the dispersion comprises gas bubbles with an average gas bubble diameter of less than about 5 ?m; a pump configured for delivering a liquid stream to the high shear device; and a reactor coupled to the high shear device, and configured to receive the dispersion from the high shear device, wherein the alkylene oxide is hydrated in the reactor.

Abstract: A system for applying shear stress ex-situ to a fluid. A method of preparing a fluid for intravenous administration to a patient. 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.