Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a chemical process, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a laminar flow of a first fluid, the first fluid providing a first reagent or one or more precursor thereof), a laminar flow of a second fluid, the second fluid providing a second reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) and a laminar flow of barrier fluid; and (ii) causing the first and barrier fluids to contact one another so that the barrier fluid forms a barrier between the first reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) and the second reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) wherein step (ii) comprises forming segments of first fluid encased or sandwiched by barrier fluid, the segments being surrounded by the second fluid, and the barrier fluid is permeable to one or both of the first and second reagents. Devices for performing the method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (1, 301, 501) for producing a spherical segmented flow of fluid, which device includes: a functional fluid conduit (6, 506) arranged to contain a functional fluid (15, 515); at least two carrier fluid conduits (7, 8, 507, 508), each carrier fluid conduit arranged to carry a carrier fluid (16, 514), the functional fluid conduit merging with the carrier fluid conduits at a junction (9) to form an encased flow conduit (9a, 529) thereby permitting functional fluid to be sandwiched (or encased) by the carrier fluid to form an encased flow, the encased flow conduit having a discontinuity (10, 510) therein such that the encased flow forms into a flow of alternate segmented spheres after the discontinuity, wherein the device is provided with a segmented flow conduit (11, 511) downstream of the encased flow conduit, the encased segmented flow conduit being provided with an enlargement (21, 512) in cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of controlling a chemical process, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a laminar flow of a first fluid, the first fluid providing a first reagent or one or more precursor thereof), a laminar flow of a second fluid, the second fluid providing a second reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) and a laminar flow of barrier fluid; and (ii) causing the first and barrier fluids to contact one another so that the barrier fluid forms a barrier between the first reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) and the second reagent (or one or more precursor thereof) wherein step (ii) comprises forming segments of first fluid encased or sandwiched by barrier fluid, the segments being surrounded by the second fluid, and the barrier fluid is permeable to one or both of the first and second reagents. Devices for performing the method of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a device (1, 301, 501) for producing a spherical segmented flow of fluid, which device includes: a functional fluid conduit (6, 506) arranged to contain a functional fluid (15, 515); at least two carrier fluid conduits (7, 8, 507, 508), each carrier fluid conduit arranged to carry a carrier fluid (16, 514), the functional fluid conduit merging with the carrier fluid conduits at a junction (9) to form an encased flow conduit (9a, 529) thereby permitting functional fluid to be sandwiched (or encased) by the carrier fluid to form an encased flow, the encased flow conduit having a discontinuity (10, 510) therein such that the encased flow forms into a flow of alternate segmented spheres after the discontinuity, wherein the device is provided with a segmented flow conduit (11, 511) downstream of the encased flow conduit, the encased segmented flow conduit being provided with an enlargement (21, 512) in cross-section.

Abstract: A device (1) for producing multiple fluid flows at substantially uniform rates, which device includes: A manifold (2) having a first inlet port (3) and a second inlet port, each inlet port arranged to provide fluid transfer from the inlet port to a respective annular channel (4, 5, 6), a distribution element (7) having a first aperture set (12) and a second aperture set (13) therein, each aperture set including at least one aperture and being arranged to be in fluid communication with one of the annular channels such that fluid is permitted to flow from the annular channel through an aperture to a respective fluid outlet.