Abstract: Device including channel having channel input and output. Channel has interior channel surface extending along channel path from channel input to output. In one implementation, channel includes plurality of channel sections in serial communication along channel path. Each of channel sections includes first internal circumference spaced apart along channel path from second internal circumference, in each of channel sections the first and second internal circumferences being substantially different. Each of channel sections includes sub-surface of interior channel surface. At least region of sub-surface of each channel section includes distribution of raised micro-scale features. As another implementation, at least first region of interior channel surface includes distribution of raised micro-scale features interrupted by plurality of raised barriers spaced apart along channel path on interior channel surface.

Abstract: A flow modulator to control the flow of an aerosol to an aerosol detection and/or monitoring system and other aerosol flow systems includes a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a diverging section of the chamber beneath the inlet that has a flow divider at the center to divide the aerosol into fractions, a recirculation section in which the divided aerosol fractions are recombined, and a converging section that channels the recombined aerosol fractions to the outlet of the chamber.

Abstract: In an air mixing arrangement wherein a primary fluid is introduced through an opening in a wall to be mixed with a secondary fluid flowing along the wall surface, the opening is airfoil shaped with its leading edge being orientated at an attack angle with respect to the secondary fluid flow stream to enhance penetration and dispersion of the primary fluid stream into the secondary fluid stream. The airfoil shaped opening is selectively positioned such that its angle of attack provides the desired lift to optimize the mixing of the two streams for the particular application. Embodiments of the arrangement can comprise a collar around the openings, multiple openings that comprise a larger opening and a smaller opening positioned downstream, pairs of openings and associated collars symmetric relationship, and nozzles on the inner side of the wall.

Abstract: Static mixers and fluid systems incorporating one or more of the static mixers. The static mixers may include one or more channels that provide a tortuous path through a body, wherein fluid flowing through each channel defines a downstream direction through the tortuous path created within the channel. The tortuous path of the channel is preferably formed by a set of flow obstacles protruding into the channel and a set of flow restrictions positioned along the channel between the inlet and the outlet. Each flow restriction has a downstream length over which the open cross-sectional area of the channel decreases and then increases when moving in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A method and a system for phase inversion of a dispersion are disclosed, the dispersion comprising a first fluid, said first fluid forming a disperse phase and a second fluid, said second fluid forming a continuous phase. The dispersion is supplied in a fluid supply device to a phase inversion means. Thereby the first fluid is transformed from the disperse phase into the continuous phase and the second fluid is transformed from the continuous phase into the disperse phase. The phase inversion means comprises an element providing a fluid contacting surface for coalescence in a direction of flow.

Abstract: A static mixer is disclosed. The mixer includes a channel which extends in the main direction and has at least one mixing element arranged therein. The mixing element has structures for dividing, deflecting and/or combining a media stream conveyed through the channel such that at least one dividing structure divides the media stream into at least one first substream and one second substream and such that the first substream and the second substream have different average path lengths from the dividing structure up to the point where they are combined.

Abstract: A method is provided to prepare one or more microfluidic channels on a receptive material by applying an image-forming material to a heat sensitive thermoplastic receptive material in a designed pattern and heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%. In an alternative aspect, the microfluidic channels on receptive material are prepared by etching a designed pattern into a heat sensitive thermoplastic material support and then heating the material under conditions that reduce the size of the thermoplastic receptive material by at least about 60%.

Abstract: A microfluidic device [10] includes at least one reactant passage [26] and one or more thermal control passages defined therein, the one or more thermal control passages being positioned and arranged within two volumes [12,14] each bordered by a wall [18,20], the walls being generally planar and parallel to one another, the reactant passage positioned between said generally planar walls and defined by said generally planar walls and walls [28] extending between said generally planar walls, wherein the reactant passage comprises multiple successive chambers [34], each such chamber including a split of the reactant passage into at least two sub-passages [36], and a joining [38] of the split passages, and a change of passage direction, of at least one of the sub-passages, of at least 90 degrees.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multicomponent foil-type container comprising a first chamber (5) for accommodating a first component, at least one second chamber (5?) for accommodating a second component, a discharge duct (6) that can be connected to said chambers (5, 5?), deflection elements (11) for mixing the components within the discharge duct (6), and a seal (12; 12?; 21; 25, 25?; 36, 36?) which prevents the components from being mixed before being used and can be opened for discharging the components. The deflection elements (11) of the inventive multicomponent foil-type container are disposed on a separate mixing element (9) that is located in the discharge duct (6) such that the multicomponent foil-type container is easy to produce while allowing different components to be mixed in a particularly effectively manner. The invention further relates to a device for squeezing a multicomponent foil-type container in a particularly effective fashion.

Abstract: Apparatus for intensifying heterogeneous chemical reactions is described. For the case of liquid-liquid reactions, with drops of a reactant distributed throughout the second continuous reactant, the physical phenomena of drop dispersion (break up) and drop coalescence are identified as the main physical steps affecting reaction rates. A basic flow cell structure is described in which the respective actions of dispersion and coalescence can be greatly intensified through the creation of enhanced body forces and shear flow zones. The basic cell structure can be arranged into pipe flow reactors to suit any production or process requirements. The basic cell structure is equally applicable to gas-liquid reactions with drops of one reactant being conveyed by a moving gas stream.

Abstract: A fluid flow modification apparatus for creating turbulence in a moving fluid includes turbulence-creating elements arranged in a fractal configuration, each element having a first surface portion against which the fluid can flow and a second surface portion along which the fluid can flow, and further includes an insert for arrangement to obstruct the flow of fluid between adjacent second surface portions of at least two turbulence-creating elements. A support holds the turbulence-creating elements in the fluid to allow movement of the fluid relative to the turbulence-creating elements and the insert. The insert may be attachable to at least two turbulence-creating elements, such that the arrangement of the inserts is symmetrical about a centre point of the fluid flow field for improved mixing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blending and supplying process materials. The method and apparatus are particularly applicable to the blending of ultra-high purity chemicals, the blending of abrasive slurries with other chemicals for the polishing of semiconductor wafers, and high-accuracy blending of chemicals. The apparatus may include a dispensing subsystem that supplies process materials to a mixing subsystem where they are blended with a static mixer. The method may include supplying process materials with a dispensing subsystem and blending the process materials in a static mixer.

Abstract: A mixer in a solution casting system mixes liquid additive with polymer dope fed through a flow line and constituted by cellulose ester as polymer and solvent. A mixer housing is in the flow line for passing the polymer dope through to be mixed. A supply conduit causes flow of the liquid additive for addition to the polymer dope. A distribution channel is formed with the supply conduit, positioned in the flow line, for spreading the liquid additive in a transverse direction of a flow passage in the flow line, to eject the liquid additive. A rotor hub is shaped with a decreasing diameter, contained in the mixer housing, opposed to the distribution channel, and directs the polymer dope in a ring shape after addition of the liquid additive. The flow line collects the polymer dope in a position downstream from the rotor hub.

Abstract: A resin infusion system uses a housing that has an upper flexible diaphragm and a lower flexible diaphragm such that the two diaphragms form a cavity. A fiber reinforcement mat is positioned within the cavity. A mold is positioned below the lower diaphragm. A flow plate has a series of V-shaped grooves and is positioned either underneath the lower diaphragm or overtop the upper diaphragm so that the grooves press into the respective diaphragm. A vacuum is created within the housing causing resin to be drawn into the cavity with the resin interacting with the grooves increasing the turbulence of the resin flow. Once the reinforcement mat is properly wetted, the mold is pressed into the lower diaphragm.

Abstract: A mixer system for mixing at least two fluids includes a plurality of micromixers that are fluidically connected in parallel. The micromixers are integrated into a guide matrix and are fluidically connected via feed lines for the fluids to be mixed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for blending process materials. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to a process material contacting system to increase wetted surface area for liquid contact as well as increase forced convective mixing efficiency of the liquid mixture. Use of a novel process material contacting apparatus allows one solid feeding element to serve multiple process material tanks, thus reducing overall system costs and decreasing set-up time/process variability while increasing operational efficiency. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, rather than adding a process material to a volume of liquid held in a blending tank, the added process material is remotely blended with the liquid outside the process material tank.

Abstract: A static mixing device is described, comprising a flow channel and mixing elements which are distributed over the cross section of the flow channel in the form of flow bodies arranged on a wall extending in the direction of flow and which are each delimited by one tapering deflecting surface which is inclined in relation to the wall and originates from a base extending transversally to the direction of flow and by two guide surfaces which protrude from the wall and which converge in an edge extending transversally to the channel axis on the side of the flow bodies which is opposite of the base.

Abstract: A static mixing device that uniquely utilizes fluid shear, turbulence and impingement in a compact package to mix fluids, in particular liquids, entering the inlet of the device. The static mixing device enables a reduction in dead volume and/or pressure drop when compared to prior art static mixers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vortex-modulation based micromixer for enforced mass exchange. The micromixer of the present invention comprises a mixing chamber with grooves on one wall thereof and a special-shape barrier on another wall. As different fluids are injected into the mixing chamber respectively from two inlets of the micromixer, the grooves and barriers of the micromixer of the present invention create the constructive interferences to form the active-like agitation of the fluid. For every groove, the flux passed by can be increased via its high pressure gradient. Understandably, the mixing efficiency of the fluids can be greatly improved within a very short distance. At last, the outlet of the micromixer is located in the downstream of the mixing chamber and further is able to connect with other elements. The present invention is entirely a passive micromixer and no additional energy is required.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to apparatus for modifying the properties of a flow field and to a method of selecting an apparatus to achieve a desired flow field. The invention finds particular application in the control of the mixing of fluids, heat transfer within and between fluids, acoustic noise, oscillations in fluids, microchip cooling, structural vibrations and chemical reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid mixing apparatus having a numbering-up mechanism that distributes plural kinds of fluids and concurrently performs multiple mixing or reactions, comprising: a rectifying section having a plurality of annular channels that rectify the plural kinds of fluids into respective concentric annular flows; a distribution section having a plurality of distribution channels that distribute the plural kinds of fluids rectified by the rectifying section into a plurality of flows; a converging section having a plurality of converging channels that converge different kinds of fluids among the plural kinds of fluids distributed by the distribution section; and a mixing/reaction section having a plurality of mixing/reaction channels that cause mixing or reaction of the plural kinds of fluids converged by the converging section, wherein a plurality of pressure loss increasing devices are provided in the distribution channels.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid mixing device which produces a series of solutions with a concentration gradient. The fluid mixing device includes: a plurality of first channels disposed parallel to each other on a layer, and into which an equal amount of diluent flows from its upstream; a plurality of second channels formed perpendicular to the first channels on an adjacent layer to the layer on which the first channels are formed, and into which an equal amount of sample solution flows from its upstream; and via holes formed at at least one intersection between each of the first channel and a plurality of second channels so that a predetermined amount of sample solution flows from the second channels into corresponding first channels, wherein a series of solutions with different concentrations is produced in the first channels depending on the amount of sample solution that flows into the first channels through the via holes. Thus, a series of solutions with different concentrations is output from the first channels.

Abstract: A polymer composition containing two kinds of polymers and having a difference in its glass transition temperature of 3° C. or lower between before and after heat-treatment by getting it through a space between two parallel faces in a molten state.

Abstract: An array of airfoil-shaped micro-mixers that enhances fluid mixing within permeable membrane channels, such as used in reverse-osmosis filtration units, while minimizing additional pressure drop. The enhanced mixing reduces fouling of the membrane surfaces. The airfoil-shaped micro-mixer can also be coated with or comprised of biofouling-resistant (biocidal/germicidal) ingredients.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a static mixer in an injection molding process includes the steps: injecting a polymer melt containing a foaming agent into a passage at an injection point at an injection pressure of less than 500 bar; filling the passage with the polymer melt containing a foaming agent; at least partial foaming of the melt containing a foaming agent in the passage, with the ratio of flow path length to height amounting to at least 10. The installation body is made up at least partly of foamed plastic and has a ratio of longitudinal dimension to diameter larger than 1 and a ratio of longitudinal dimension to wall thickness of at least 10.

Abstract: A process for producing carbonated water having a high concentration, inexpensively and easily, involves using a static mixer having 20 to 100 elements so as to provide a value Re×N of 100,000 to 2,000,000, in with Re represents a Reynolds number, when a mixture of water and carbonic acid gas flow in the static mixer.

Abstract: A diverter for containing and reducing the velocity of the particulate discharge from a well bore being subjected to the process of “cavitation.” The diverter has a generally conical hollow containment shell and an internal diverter assembly with replaceable wear parts wherein the flow is directed into a spiral path along the inner surface of the containment shell. The path of flow is such that the flow velocity is dissipated without impeding or obstructing the flow of particulates. Water can be injected into the flow to help prevent fine particulates from becoming airborne.

Abstract: A mixer for mixing at least first and second fluids comprises a conduit configured to receive a stream of the first and second fluids. A first series of mixing elements are disposed within the conduit and configured to divide the stream in a first direction. A second series of mixing elements are disposed within the conduit and configured to divide the stream in a second direction different from the first direction.

Abstract: Systems for mixing a catalyst precursor with a heavy oil feedstock preparatory to hydroprocessing the heavy oil feedstock in a reactor to form an upgraded feedstock. Achieving very good dispersion of the catalyst precursor facilitates and maximizes the advantages of the colloidal or molecular hydroprocessing catalyst. A catalyst precursor and a heavy oil feedstock having a viscosity greater than the viscosity of the catalyst precursor are provided. The catalyst precursor is pre-mixed with a hydrocarbon oil diluent, forming a diluted catalyst precursor. The diluted precursor is then mixed with at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock so as to form a catalyst precursor-heavy oil feedstock mixture. Finally, the catalyst precursor-heavy oil feedstock mixture is mixed with any remainder of the heavy oil feedstock, resulting in the catalyst precursor being homogeneously dispersed on a colloidal and/or molecular level within the heavy oil feedstock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixing system for the preparation of a drilling fluid for horizontal drilling methods, having a high-pressure pump and a feed line for the additive medium arranged upstream of the high-pressure pump in the direction of flow.

Abstract: A cyclone type cylindrical body 10 having a part whose diameter decreases in the direction toward a lower opening from an upper opening is used, and liquid is made fall in the inside of the cylindrical body 10 while swirling and thereby accelerated to form a vortex flow. Fine particles are charged into the center of the vortex flow so as to be wrapped by the vortex flow, and thereby the both are mixed. By this characteristic, the fine particles do not contact with an inner wall of the cylindrical body, and therefore clogging does not occur in the cylindrical body. Moreover, the pressure around the center of the vortex flow becomes negative, and the fine particles are aspirated. Therefore, dust is hardly generated. Thus, a mixing apparatus of a small size that can slurry fine particles without much maintenance cost can be provided.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method to control the pore size or bubble point of porous membranes made by phase inversion in a continuous manufacturing process by blending two or more solutions each capable of producing a porous membrane with different pore size or bubble point than the pore size or bubble point of the desired membrane, and blending these solutions by the method of this invention to produce the desired pore size or bubble point. This invention also provides for a method to monitor membrane pore size in a continuous process and adjust pore size during the continuous manufacturing process.

Abstract: In a fluid mixing apparatus and a fluid mixing system including the apparatus, a micro-reactor has a plate sandwiched by a lid member and a receiving member. In the plate, a plate through hole, a slit cylindrical through hole, and an outer layer channel are formed, and three fluids flowing in the lid member are allowed to flow out in the same direction, respectively. Further, in the micro-reactor, the receiving member having a mixing channel having an outer periphery in the same form as an outermost periphery of the outer layer channel is provided detachably to the plate.

Abstract: An arrangement for mixing fluid streams in a duct, said arrangement comprising: at least one mixing device having front side and back side and positioned within said duct through which a first major stream travels, the at least one mixing device determining a total cross-sectional area which is significantly lower than that of the duct so as to allow for the passage of said first major stream, in which the at least one mixing device is a solid plate provided with one or more protrusions extending outward from the main solid plate body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved homogenization valve, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a homogenization valve for use in homogenizing emulsion explosives. The homogenization device comprises a body having a flow passage therethrough, opposing first and second homogenization members located in the flow passage; the homogenization members having opposing homogenization surfaces that form a flow restriction of the flow passage therebetween. At least one of the homogenization surfaces has a flow resistance being suitable to cause at least part of the flow passing through the flow restriction to be diverged in a non-linear path across the homogenization surface.

Abstract: A fluid micro-mixer and micro-reactor array is provided having at least two bonded layers of micro-channels. The micro-mixer can include at least one input port and one output port, and a mixing and/or reaction port. At least one inlet stream separator layer can isolate the inlet ports from one another.

Abstract: Mixing devices comprise a mixing element having a body with a fluid inlet port, and a fluid outlet port that is separated from the fluid inlet port. Fluid outlet passages extend through a body wall section defining the fluid inlet port, and fluid inlet passages extend through a body wall section defining the fluid outlet port. The body includes an outside surface having a reduced diameter section, and the fluid inlet and outlet passages are positioned axially along the reduced diameter section. The mixing element is statically disposed within an internal chamber of a housing, and an annular volume is defined between an inside surface of the internal chamber and the mixing element reduced diameter section to facilitate passage and mixing of fluid within the annular volume. The mixing element total inlet area is approximately equal to its total outlet area to minimize unwanted pressure drop.

Abstract: A stack type reactor that can adjust a length of channel (reaction time) to react raw substances with each other for a sufficient time and mix completely raw substances to maximize the reaction efficiency. The stack type reactor comprises an upper block with at least two inlets that introduce different kinds of raw substances and a lower channel fluidly connected to the inlets and formed at a lower surface thereof; a unit block including an upper channel corresponding to the lower channel of the upper block and formed on an upper surface thereof, the unit block including a lower channel formed at a lower surface thereof and fluidly connected with the upper channel via a connecting flow passage. The upper block and unit block form a flow path for the raw substances by connecting to the lower channel of the upper block to the upper channel of the unit block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow spreading mechanism, in particular a flow spreading mechanism used with refrigerators or air conditioners to enhance spreading of cool or warm air. To achieve the above-mentioned object, this invention comprises at least one inlet (200) through which fluid flow comes in; a flow separator means (110) dividing the flow coming through the at least one inlet (200) into at least two separate flows; and an outlet (300) through which at least two of the at least, two flows having been divided into separate flows by the flow separator means go out after they meet again, thereby forming complex vortices near the outlet, which make the flow going out of the outlet swing. Flow spreading mechanism of the present invention provides a better uniformity of temperature distribution for refrigerators or air conditioners, compared with the simple-ducted outlet of the prior art.

Abstract: A mixer in a solution casting system mixes liquid additive with polymer dope fed through a flow line and constituted by cellulose ester as polymer and solvent. A mixer housing is in the flow line for passing the polymer dope through to be mixed. A supply conduit causes flow of the liquid additive for addition to the polymer dope. A distribution channel is formed with the supply conduit, positioned in the flow line, for spreading the liquid additive in a transverse direction of a flow passage in the flow line, to eject the liquid additive. A rotor hub is shaped with a decreasing diameter, contained in the mixer housing, opposed to the distribution channel, and directs the polymer dope in a ring shape after addition of the liquid additive. The flow line collects the polymer dope in a position downstream from the rotor hub.

Abstract: In a microreactor in which a plurality of fluids L1 and L2 are led through their respective feed channels to merge in one reaction channel and react with each other while circulating, a spiral reaction channel is formed by cutting a spiral screw thread on either the outer surface of a round-bar-shaped core member or the inner surface having a circular cross section of an outer cylindrical member and engaging the outer surface of the core member in close contact with the inner surface of the outer cylindrical member.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a flow channel for liquids or also gases, which is of such a design that the lowest possible losses occur in the flow, in particular low frictional losses. A further aim of the invention is to provide a flow channel for liquids, in which different flow regions are set. A flow channel for liquids characterized in that at least one wall defining the flow channel is of such a configuration that when a liquid flows therethrough at least one flow region is produced which has an axial and simultaneous tangential flow component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micro fluid chip that leads liquids supplied from a plurality of liquid supply ports, respectively, to a minute flow passage, performs mixing and reaction (chemical reaction) of the liquids in the minute flow passage, and obtains a liquid having been processed from a liquid discharge port.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide oxidizer comprises an oxidant supply unit (4) that supplies an oxidant gas to a reformate gas, a mixing unit (5) that mixes the reformate gas with the oxidant gas, and a preferential oxidation catalyst unit (6) that removes carbon monoxide from a mixed gas using catalytic action. The mixing unit (5) comprises a stacked body (9) of plates (100A-100F). A rotating passage (101) that is formed in the stacked body (9) to rotate the flow of the mixed gas, thereby promoting mixing of the reformate gas with the oxidant gas by a rotating flow formed by the rotating passage (101).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing at least one fluid stream with a large gas stream flowing in a gas duct, especially for introducing reducing agent into flue gas containing nitrogen oxides. The gas stream is directed against at least one disk-shaped mixer element on an inlet side that is inclined at an angle counter to the direction of flow of the gas stream, wherein eddy-type whirls form at the mixer element. A swirled fluid stream is admixed with the large gas stream downstream of the mixer element.

Abstract: Holographic data storage media having a sandwiched construction are described in which a holographic recording material is sandwiched between two substrates. The holographic media formulation is often formed of two or more components mixed to obtain a homogeneous formulation. The holographic media formulation may include two or more components which are mixed together prior to injection between the substrates. Curing of the holographic media formulation is substantially avoided during mixing, yet accelerated after the formulation is injected between the substrates. Accordingly, the system and techniques can be used to improve the large scale manufacturability of such media by allowing for fabrication of such media within reasonable cycle times, such as less than one minute, while adhering to stringent requirements for optical clarity and parallelism.

Abstract: The present invention also relates to a fluid processing device using material pieces, which is usable for processing liquid and gas. The hexagon nut shaped material pieces of stainless steel and the like are heat-treated and oriented such that the material pieces form up into a kind of concentric circles and make single plane, with drawing lines linked the center points of the hexagonal nut shaped material pieces positioned the outermost circumferentially periphery of the concentric arrangement forming up into an equilateral hexagon and such arrangement is retained. Also, a fluid processing device comprises a hollow container that such field converter is positioned in.

Abstract: The static mixer has a polymorphic structure that can be used for mixing or homogenizing a fluid medium. The mixer has at least two sections arranged in a tube one after the other in the longitudinal direction. Baffles of the first section that are effective to promote mixing redistribute the medium to be mixed largely globally over the entire cross-section of the tube. Baffles of the second section that are effective to promote mixing effect largely local mixing in partial regions, which in each case contain only one part of the tube cross-section. The baffles of both sections have the same or approximately equally large hydraulic diameters.

Abstract: A metering device for the feeding of additives to a gooey fluid or a pasty composition, in particular to a plastic melt, includes a passage section receiving the fluid and which contains at least one metering element for the injection of an additive into the plastic melt. The passage section has a recess for the reception of the metering element that is bounded at all sides by the passage section. The metering element is made of a porous structure or with a capillary structure for the passage of the additive.

Abstract: A method for entraining and mixing gas with liquids within a conduit or drop structure, comprising the channeling of one or more liquid flows into spiral flows of predetermined radius (radii), reducing the predetermined radius (radii) to increase the centrifugal forces acting upon the spiral flow(s) as the spiral flow(s) enter the conduit, and allowing gas access to the conduit to mix with and entrain within the spiral flow within the conduit or drop structure. The method can facilitate the mixing of gas with one or more fluid flows and/or reduce the release of gas emissions from the fluid(s) into the surrounding environment.