Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for cyclohexane oxidation. The method comprises a) forming a dispersion comprising liquid cyclohexane and an oxidant gas utilizing a high shear device, wherein the dispersion comprises oxidant gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than about 5 ?m, and wherein the high shear device comprises at least one rotor and at least one stator; and b) hydrogenating the dispersion in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a product comprising cyclohexanol or cyclohexanone. In some embodiments, the oxidant comprises air, oxygen-enriched air, oxygen, or an oxygen-containing gas. In some embodiments, step a) of the method comprises forming the dispersion in the presence of an oxidation catalyst. Also disclosed herein is a system for oxidizing cyclohexane.

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: 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 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: A system for production of a polymer that may include a first high shear mixing device configured for producing a nanodispersion comprising particles or bubbles having a mean diameter less than 1 micron dispersed in a monomer-containing liquid or gaseous phase; a pump configured for delivering a pressurized liquid stream comprising the monomer to the first high shear mixing device; and a vessel configured for receiving the nanodispersion and for maintaining a predetermined pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from a sour gas stream comprising hydrogen sulfide by oxidizing hydrogen sulfide in a converter by contacting the sour gas stream with an aqueous catalytic solution, thereby producing a desulfurized gas stream and a liquid stream comprising reduced catalyst and elemental sulfur, introducing an oxidant and the liquid stream comprising reduced catalyst and elemental sulfur into a high shear device and producing a dispersion wherein the mean bubble diameter of the oxidant gas in the dispersion is less than about 5 ?m, introducing the dispersion into a vessel from which a sulfur-containing slurry is removed and a regenerated catalyst stream is removed, wherein the sulfur slurry comprises elemental sulfur and aqueous liquid, and recycling at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst stream to the converter. A system of apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for hydrodesulfurization by forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen-containing gas bubbles with a mean diameter of less than 1 micron dispersed in a liquid phase comprising sulfur-containing compounds. Desulfurizing a liquid stream comprising sulfur-containing compounds by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising hydrogen-containing gas and the liquid to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 to produce a dispersion of hydrogen in a continuous phase of the liquid and introducing the dispersion into a fixed bed hydrodesulfurization reactor from which a reactor product is removed. Systems of apparatus for hydrodesulfurization are also presented.

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 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: Herein disclosed is a method of removing at least one component from a feed by subjecting the feed to high shear in the presence of carbon dioxide to produce a high shear-treated product and separating the at least one component from the high shear-treated product to produce a component-reduced product. Also disclosed is a method of removing asphaltenes from asphaltenic oil by subjecting the asphaltenic oil to a shear rate of at least 10,000 s?1 in the presence of carbon dioxide to produce a high shear-treated product and separating asphaltenes from the high shear-treated product to produce an asphaltene-reduced product oil. Systems are also provided for carrying out the methods.

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, 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: 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 synthesis of alcohol are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of olefins in water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time. In an embodiment, a method of making an alcohol comprises introducing an olefin into a water stream to form a gas-liquid stream. The method further comprises flowing the gas-liquid stream through a high shear device so as to form a dispersion with gas bubbles having a mean diameter less than about 1 micron. In addition, the method comprises contacting the gas-liquid stream with a catalyst in a reactor to hydrate the olefin gas and form an alcohol.

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: 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 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: 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: A method of producing volatilized fatty acids by heating a feedstock comprising at least one fat or oil in a reactor under inert vacuum to volatilize fatty acids, and removing volatilized fatty acids from bottoms residue comprising cross-linked oil. A system for stripping fatty acids from triglycerides, the system comprising a reactor, heating apparatus and a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor. A system for producing a hydrogenated product including a reactor comprising an inlet for a stream comprising triglycerides, an outlet for volatilized fatty acids, and an outlet for a cross-linked product, heating apparatus, a vacuum pump capable of pulling a vacuum in the range of from 1 kPa to 50 kPa on the reactor, and a hydrogenation reactor, wherein an inlet of the hydrogenation reactor is fluidly connected to the outlet for cross-linked product.

Abstract: In this disclosure, a system is described, comprising a shear device with at least one inlet and at least one outlet and a mixing vessel with at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein an inlet of the shear device is in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing vessel. In certain embodiments, the shear device and the mixing vessel form a loop for fluid communication. Also disclosed herein is a method of high shear oxidation, comprising mixing an oxidant with a substrate to form a substrate-oxidant mixture and applying shear to the substrate-oxidant mixture to form a product. The product includes ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, terephthalic acid, phenol, acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, nitric acid, caprolactam, oxidized polyethylene, oxidized polypropylene, oxidized polyethylene copolymers, and oxidized polypropylene copolymers. Suitable oxidant includes air, oxygen, ozone, peroxide, organic peroxide, halogen, oxygen-containing gas, and halogen-containing gas.