Abstract: An apparatus and a method for continuous solvothermal synthesis of nanoparticles, are provided. The apparatus includes an inlet section, a reactor section, a flexible quenching unit, and an outlet section. The inlet section separately receives reactants including the solvent and a precursor solution that are allowed to flow into the reactor section. The reactor section includes multiple spiral turns such that each of the spiral turns includes a helical channel followed by a counter-helical channel for enabling mixing of the reactants to cause solvothermal reactions between them. The counter-helical channel changes the direction of flow of reactants upon flow of said reactants from the helical channel to the counter-helical channel. The flexible quenching section enclosing a portion of the reactor section quenches a slurry formed as a result of the solvothermal reactions, wherein the slurry includes the nanoparticles of targeted characteristics. The outlet section facilitates withdrawal of the slurry.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to phase separation, and more particularly, to a apparatus and a method for phase separation. In one example, the apparatus includes a spiral shaped body, split outlets and an adjustable splitter. The spiral shaped body includes an inlet portion to receive a mixture of phases associated with distinct effective masses, an outlet portion, and multiple helical turns stacked between the inlet and outlet portion. A portion of helical turns are twisted to form a twisted portion having opposite walls of a preceding helical turn turned relative to one another in opposite directions. The split outlets are configured at walls of the preceding helical turn to withdraw the phases based on an effective mass of said phases. The adjustable splitter is movably configured at least a portion of a cross section of the spiral shaped body to facilitate separate withdrawal of the one or more phases of the mixture.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to mixing and separating phases of a mixture, and, more particularly, to an integrated apparatus for mixing and separating immiscible fluid phases and method therefor. The apparatus includes an inlet section, a mixing section, a separating section, and an outlet section. The mixing section includes multiple spiral turns for separately introducing the fluid phases of different specific gravity into the mixing section. Each of the spiral turns includes a helical channel followed by a counter-helical channel for enabling mixing of fluid phases. The counter-helical channel changes the direction of flow of fluid phases upon flow of said fluid phases from the helical channel to the counter-helical channel. The separating section extends from the mixing section separates the fluid phases based on specific gravity difference of fluid phases. The outlet section facilitates in separate withdrawal of fluid phases based on the specific gravity of said fluid phases.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for continuous solvothermal synthesis of nanoparticles, are provided. The apparatus includes an inlet section, a reactor section, a flexible quenching unit, and an outlet section. The inlet section separately receives reactants including the solvent and a precursor solution that are allowed to flow into the reactor section. The reactor section includes multiple spiral turns such that each of the spiral turns includes a helical channel followed by a counter-helical channel for enabling mixing of the reactants to cause solvothermal reactions between them. The counter-helical channel changes the direction of flow of reactants upon flow of said reactants from the helical channel to the counter-helical channel. The flexible quenching section enclosing a portion of the reactor section quenches a slurry formed as a result of the solvothermal reactions, wherein the slurry includes the nanoparticles of targeted characteristics. The outlet section facilitates withdrawal of the slurry.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to phase separation, and more particularly, to a apparatus and a method for phase separation. In one example, the apparatus includes a spiral shaped body, split outlets and an adjustable splitter. The spiral shaped body includes an inlet portion to receive a mixture of phases associated with distinct effective masses, an outlet portion, and multiple helical turns stacked between the inlet and outlet portion. A portion of helical turns are twisted to form a twisted portion having opposite walls of a preceding helical turn turned relative to one another in opposite directions. The split outlets are configured at walls of the preceding helical turn to withdraw the phases based on an effective mass of said phases. The adjustable splitter is movably configured at least a portion of a cross section of the spiral shaped body to facilitate separate withdrawal of the one or more phases of the mixture.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to mixing and separating phases of a mixture, and, more particularly, to an integrated apparatus for mixing and separating immiscible fluid phases and method therefor. The apparatus includes an inlet section, a mixing section, a separating section, and an outlet section. The mixing section includes multiple spiral turns for separately introducing the fluid phases of different specific gravity into the mixing section. Each of the spiral turns includes a helical channel followed by a counter-helical channel for enabling mixing of fluid phases. The counter-helical channel changes the direction of flow of fluid phases upon flow of said fluid phases from the helical channel to the counter-helical channel. The separating section extends from the mixing section separates the fluid phases based on specific gravity difference of fluid phases. The outlet section facilitates in separate withdrawal of fluid phases based on the specific gravity of said fluid phases.