Abstract: A device is provided for delivering fluids to, or removing fluids from, one or more fluid streams, the device having a body having a plurality of channels extending through the body from a first to a second end of the body, the body having one or more internal passages therein extending in a direction crossways to the plurality of channels. Each channel is in fluid communication with one or more of the passages via a porous wall between the respective channel and an associated passage. The one or more passages are in fluid communication with the exterior of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of performing a reaction involving a gaseous reactant stream and a falling film liquid reactant stream by providing a reactor comprising a first multicellular extruded body oriented with its cells extending in parallel in a vertically downward direction from a first end of the body to a second end, the body having a first plurality of cells open at both ends of the body and a second plurality of said cells closed at one or both ends of the body, the second plurality of cells being arranged in one or more groups of contiguous cells and cooperating to define at least in part at least one fluidic passage extending through the body; and further flowing a liquid reactant film down inner surfaces of the first plurality of cells while flowing a gaseous reactant stream up or down the centers of the first plurality of cells while flowing a first heat exchange fluid through the at least one fluidic passage. Various alternative devices for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor for reacting fluids such as fluids in continuous flow, the reactor including a multicellular extruded body having cells extending in parallel in a direction from a first end of the body to a second end, the body having a first plurality of cells open at both ends of the body and a second plurality of said cells closed at one or both ends of the body, the second plurality being contiguous cells and cooperating to define at least in part a fluidic passage extending at least partly through the body. The fluidic passage desirably has a serpentine path back and forth along cells of the second plurality of cells, and the passage connects laterally from cell to cell, within cells of the second plurality, at or near the ends of the body.

Abstract: A fluid distribution or fluid extraction structure for honeycomb-substrate based falling film reactors is provided, the structure comprising a one or two-piece non-porous honeycomb substrate having a plurality of cells extending in parallel in a common direction from a first end of the substrate to a second and divided by cell walls, and a plurality of lateral channels extending along a channel direction perpendicular to the common direction, the channels defined by the absence of cell walls or the breach of cell walls along the channel direction, the channels being closed or sealed to fluid passage in the common direction but open to the exterior of the structure through one or more ports in a side of the structure, the channels being in fluid communication with the plurality of cells via holes or slots extending through respective cell walls, the holes or slots having a width and a length, the width being equal to or less than the length, and the width at widest being less than 150 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for processing fluids, the device comprising an extruded body having multiple elongated cells therein, the body having a first fluidic passage therethrough defined principally within at least some of said cells, the first fluidic passage having a longitudinally serpentine path back and forth along the at least some of said cells.

Abstract: A microstructure for chemical processing and manufacture is disclosed. The microstructure includes a plurality of microchannel walls constructed of glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic or combinations of these materials, which define at least one microchannel for accommodating chemicals to be processed. At least one coating layer including a catalyst support and a catalyst is adhered to the plurality of microchannel walls. A method of manufacturing a microstructure for chemical processing and manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is provided for delivering fluids to, or removing fluids from, one or more fluid streams, the device having a body having a plurality of channels extending through the body from a first to a second end of the body, the body having one or more internal passages therein extending in a direction crossways to the plurality of channels. Each channel is in fluid communication with one or more of the passages via a porous wall between the respective channel and an associated passage. The one or more passages are in fluid communication with the exterior of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of performing a reaction involving a gaseous reactant stream and a falling film liquid reactant stream by providing a reactor comprising a first multicellular extruded body oriented with its cells extending in parallel in a vertically downward direction from a first end of the body to a second end, the body having a first plurality of cells open at both ends of the body and a second plurality of said cells closed at one or both ends of the body, the second plurality of cells being arranged in one or more groups of contiguous cells and cooperating to define at least in part at least one fluidic passage extending through the body; and further flowing a liquid reactant film down inner surfaces of the first plurality of cells while flowing a gaseous reactant stream up or down the centers of the first plurality of cells while flowing a first heat exchange fluid through the at least one fluidic passage. Various alternative devices for performing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for processing fluids, the device comprising an extruded body having multiple elongated cells therein, the body having a first fluidic passage therethrough defined principally within at least some of said cells, the first fluidic passage having a longitudinally serpentine path back and forth along the at least some of said cells.

Abstract: A membrane microstructure device is disclosed. The membrane microstructure device includes a first glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic plate defining a first recess, a second glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic plate defining a second recess, and a non-metallic porous membrane sandwiched between the first and second plates. The first plate, second plate and porous membrane are joined together and the porous membrane is arranged to cover the first and second recesses to define a first microchannel between the first plate and the porous membrane and a second microchannel in fluid communication with the first microchannel between the second plate and the porous membrane. A method of manufacturing a membrane microstructure device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor for reacting fluids such as fluids in continuous flow, the reactor including a multicellular extruded body having cells extending in parallel in a direction from a first end of the body to a second end, the body having a first plurality of cells open at both ends of the body and a second plurality of said cells closed at one or both ends of the body, the second plurality being contiguous cells and cooperating to define at least in part a fluidic passage extending at least partly through the body. The fluidic passage desirably has a serpentine path back and forth along cells of the second plurality of cells, and the passage connects laterally from cell to cell, within cells of the second plurality, at or near the ends of the body.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a thermal buffer fluid passage and a reactant passage having mixing and dwell time sub-passages all defined within an extended body, the dwell-time sub-passage having at least 1 ml volume, and the mixing sub-passage being in the form of a unitary mixer not requiring precise splitting of flows to provide good mixing. The device is desirably formed in glass or glass-ceramic. The unitary mixer is structured to generate secondary flows in the reactant fluid and is preferably closely thermally coupled to the buffer fluid passage by sharing one or more common walls.

Abstract: Structured catalysts comprising thick porous inorganic catalyst support coatings disposed on monolithic catalyst support structures, the support coatings having open interconnected porosities of controlled pore size but being characterized by improved durability, physical integrity, and adherence sufficient for use in liquid phase applications under harsh reaction conditions, and methods for making and using them, are disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device includes a formed sheet of glass or glass ceramic material formed to have one or more first micro channels on a first surface thereof and one or more second micro channels on a second surface opposite the first. The second channels are complementary to the first channels and the first channels are substantially closed by a first sheet of glass or glass ceramic material bonded to the first surface of the formed sheet. The second channels may be substantially closed by a second sheet of a glass or glass ceramic material bonded to the second surface. The first and second sheets may also be formed sheets. The device may be formed by vacuum-forming the formed sheet against a single surface mold, then bonding a plate to one or both sides of the formed sheet.

Abstract: A membrane microstructure device is disclosed. The membrane microstructure device includes a first glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic plate defining a first recess, a second glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic plate defining a second recess, and a non-metallic porous membrane sandwiched between the first and second plates. The first plate, second plate and porous membrane are joined together and the porous membrane is arranged to cover the first and second recesses to define a first microchannel between the first plate and the porous membrane and a second microchannel in fluid communication with the first microchannel between the second plate and the porous membrane. A method of manufacturing a membrane microstructure device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microstructure for chemical processing and manufacture is disclosed. The microstructure includes a plurality of microchannel walls constructed of glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic or combinations of these materials, which define at least one microchannel for accommodating chemicals to be processed. At least one coating layer including a catalyst support and a catalyst is adhered to the plurality of microchannel walls. A method of manufacturing a microstructure for chemical processing and manufacture is also disclosed.

Abstract: Structured catalysts comprising thick porous inorganic catalyst support coatings disposed on monolithic catalyst support structures, the support coatings having open interconnected porosities of controlled pore size but being characterized by improved durability, physical integrity, and adherence sufficient for use in liquid phase applications under harsh reaction conditions, and methods for making and using them, are disclosed.