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 cyclohexanol is capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the cyclohexanol production process. A system for the production of cyclohexanol from air oxidation of cyclohexane, the system comprising a high shear device, the outlet of the high shear device fluidly connected to the inlet of a reactor; the high shear device capable of providing a dispersion of air bubbles within a liquid comprising cyclohexane, the bubbles having an average bubble diameter of less than about 100 ?m.

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: 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: Methods and systems for the preparation of chlorohydrins are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of olefins into the chlorinating phase. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce chlorination time.

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: A method is disclosed for producing polyvinyl chloride which includes mixing a vinyl chloride solution with an initiator solution in at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one rotor/stator set producing a rotor tip speed of at least 5.1 m/sec (1000 ft/min), to form a polymerization mixture; and allowing the mixture to polymerize by free radical polymerization to form polyvinyl chloride. The polymerization mixture may be subjected to free radical polymerization conditions comprising a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 230° C. In some embodiments, the high shear mixing device produces a shear rate of at least 20,000 s?1. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

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: Methods and systems for preparing alkylene glycols are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and solubility of alkylene oxides with water. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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.