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: 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: 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: 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 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: A method for introducing inhibitor into a fluid to be treated by forming a dispersion comprising droplets, particles, or gas bubbles of the inhibitor dispersed in a continuous phase of a carrier, wherein the droplets, particles, or gas bubbles have a mean diameter of less than 5 ?m, and wherein either the carrier is the fluid to be treated or the method further comprises introducing the dispersion into the fluid to be treated. A system for inhibiting an undesirable component, 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, wherein the high shear mixing device is capable of producing a tip speed of the rotor of greater than 22.9 m/s, and a pump for delivering a mixture of a carrier and an inhibitor to the high shear mixing device.

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: 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: 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: 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.

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: 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: A method of use for a high shear device incorporated into a process or system for the production of acetaldehyde from ethylene as a reactor device is shown to be capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, by forming a feed stream emulsion, and thereby enhancing the acetaldehyde production process in the system.

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: 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: A method for producing aniline or toluenediamine is disclosed which comprises forming a dispersion comprising hydrogen gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid medium comprising either nitrobenzene or dinitrotoluene, wherein the hydrogen gas bubbles have a mean diameter less than 1 micron; and subjecting the dispersion to hydrogenation reaction promoting conditions comprising pressure less than about 600 kPa and temperature less than about 200° C., whereby at least a portion of the nitrobenzene or dinitrotoluene is hydrogenated to form aniline or toluenediamine, respectively. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for a high shear mechanical device incorporated into a process for the production of acetic anhydride as a reactor device is shown to be capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing the process. A system for the production of acetic anhydride including the mixing of catalyst and acetic acid via a high shear 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.