Microscale Reactor Patents (Class 422/603)
  • Patent number: 9656235
    Abstract: A method of operating a microchannel reactor, in which a reaction channel is formed, includes generating a reaction product by causing a chemical reaction in a raw material fluid while causing the same to flow through a reaction channel. If the flow rate of the raw material fluid and/or the reaction product fluid flowing through a reaction channel decreases, a fluid which is inert to the raw material fluid and the reaction product is mixed into the fluid flowing through the reaction channel, in a flow rate corresponding to the decreased flow rate and at a position downstream of the introduction position of the raw material fluid into the reaction channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Matsuoka, Koji Noishiki
  • Patent number: 9095793
    Abstract: A radial opposed migration classifier is provided for separating particles in a sample, introducing and removing the particles into and out of the classifier at the same potential. A sample passes through a classification channel having two circular walls. The sample is introduced and exits the classifier through the same plane as the first wall, which is at a different potential from the second wall. A cross-flow fluid enters the classification channel through one of the walls. The cross-flow fluid flows at a first velocity and exits in a first direction through the other wall. An imposed field is applied on the particles in a second direction counter to the first direction of the cross-flow. This causes the particles of a desired size and/or charge to migrate at a second velocity opposite and/or equal to a first velocity of the cross-flow. The particles that travel through the channel are discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Richard C. Flagan, Wilton Mui, Andrew J. Downard
  • Patent number: 9080706
    Abstract: A system for measuring flow rates of fluid flows to parallel reactors includes a common feed line, a plurality of reactor feed lines for receiving a reactor fluid flow, a measurement line, and a valve system. The valve system includes one or more valves and a valve control unit for controlling the one or more valves, the valve system being arranged and/or adapted such that it can assume a measurement setting in which the valves redirect one of the reactor feed flows such that it flows through the measurement line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: AVANTIUM HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Roelandus Hendrikus Wilhelmus Moonen
  • Patent number: 9023296
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a target reactor having a flow-channel system in which a plurality of reactants continuously flowing into said target reactor are mixed and interconvert to form a target volumetric flow-rate (f2) of a product continuously flowing out of said target reactor, wherein the smallest hydraulic diameter (dh2) of said target reactor is calculated based on the relationship d h ? ? 2 = d h ? ? 1 ? ( f 2 f 1 ) 3 - n 7 - n in a turbulent or transitional turbulent flow, wherein n is a non-integer number with 1>n?0, between the corresponding smallest hydraulic diameter (dh1) of a standard reactor having the same fluidic type of flow-channel system, f1 is a standard volumetric flow-rate of said standard reactor carrying out the same interconversion, and f2 is said target volumetric flow-rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Lonza AG
    Inventors: Dominique Roberge, Norbert Kockmann, Michael Gottsponer, Markus Eyholzer
  • Patent number: 9011781
    Abstract: The invention describes catalysts, methods of making catalysts, methods of making a microchannel reactor, and methods of conducting chemical reactions. It has been discovered that superior performance can be obtained from a catalyst formed by directly depositing a catalytic material onto a (low surface area) thermally-grown alumina layer. Improved methods of conducting oxidative dehydrogenations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Long, Junko M. Watson, Francis P. Daly, Terry Mazanec, Barry L. Yang
  • Patent number: 8986546
    Abstract: To promote mixture of fluids on a plurality of stages, flow channels include a plurality of merging portions which penetrate from a top surface to a back surface of a substrate. An end of each of the sub channels is disposed so as to overlap the main channel at each of positions separated along the direction in which the main channel extends, and each of the merging portions communicates the main channels and the ends of the sub channels with each other, thereby changing a flow direction of the second fluid flowing through the sub channels to the thickness direction of the substrate, and merges the second fluid with the first fluid flowing through the main channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Noishiki, Makoto Nishimura, Takeshi Yamashita, Daisuke Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8968695
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of producing nano-size graphene-based material and an equipment for producing the same. The present invention provides a method of producing graphitic oxide by forcing graphite sulfuric slurry and KMnO4 sulfuric solution into a lengthy micro-channel and by sustaining the mixture of the said graphite sulfuric slurry and the said KMnO4 sulfuric solution in the said micro-channel at predetermined temperatures, by putting the said aqua solution of hydrogen peroxide to the reaction mixture to terminate oxidation, and by washing and drying the reaction mixture. The present invention provides a method of producing nano-size graphene-based material by exfoliating graphitic oxide by thermal shock in a vertical fluidized furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: IDT International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Jin Kwon, Ja Woon Gu, Won Hyung Park, Cheol Min Shin, Byoung Kyu Ji, Doo Hyo Kwon
  • Patent number: 8951485
    Abstract: A microreactor includes a plurality of interconnected microstructures arranged in m process units with the process units configured to be operable together in parallel. Each of the m process units has a number n of respective process fluid inlets, wherein a number y of the n respective process fluid inlets are connected individually to respective non-manifolded fluid pumps, and wherein a number n minus y of the n respective process fluid inlets are connected to a respective manifolded fluid pump via a manifold, wherein y is an integer from 1 to n?1 inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Mikhail Sergeevich Chivilikhin, Sylvain Maxime F Gremetz, Roland Guidat, Elena Daniela Lavric, Olivier Lobet, Pierre Woehl
  • Patent number: 8932544
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for feeding and/or discharging fluids in microreactor arrays through one or several fluid ducts that extend into each individual microreactor and can be individually controlled and regulated, in order to control, regulate, influence, and/or verify processes. The fed or discharged amounts of fluid are introduced into or discharged from the volume of the reaction liquid during a continuous shaking process and are evenly mixed as a result of the shaking process. The continuous shaking process causes sufficient mass transfer and thorough mixing of the reaction partners or fluids while the reaction is not limited or restricted by the mass transfer conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: m2p-labs GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Mueller, Ingo Klammer, Frank Kensy, Jochen Buechs, Mirko Hofmann, Andreas Buchenauer, Uwe Schnakenberg, Wilfried Mokwa
  • Patent number: 8889087
    Abstract: An integrated microchannel reactor and heat exchanger comprising: (a) a waveform sandwiched between opposing shim sheets and mounted to the shim sheets to form a series of microchannels, where each microchannel includes a pair of substantially straight side walls, and a top wall formed by at least one of the opposing shim sheets, and (b) a first set of microchannels in thermal communication with the waveform, where the waveform has an aspect ratio greater than two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Timothy M. Werner, Bin Yang
  • Patent number: 8875981
    Abstract: A cartridge microreactor includes a tubular heater, a metal capillary reaction tubing and a brazing alloy. The tubular heater includes an inner tube surrounded by an outer heater sheath. The metal capillary reaction tubing has a high aspect ratio, an inlet port and an outlet port and is wrapped around the tubular heater so that it is in intimate thermal contact with the heater sheath. The brazing alloy permanently bonds the tubular heater with the metal capillary reaction tubing. The metal capillary reaction tubing is configured to be heated by the tubular heater and is configured to receive one or more reactants through the inlet port and to allow the reactants to react under a selected temperature and pressure and to produce one or more products exiting through the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Navolta LLC
    Inventors: Brian Neltner, David M. King, Rick Bryan Woodruff
  • Patent number: 8877320
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising: a substrate having a microfluidic channel, an electrically conductive feature comprising an electrically conductive layer arranged on a primer layer and positioned with reference to the microfluidic channel, wherein the primer layer comprises: (i) an organic polymer selected from the group consisting of. (a) a homopolymer or copolymer including a vinyl lactam repeating unit, (b) a cellulose ether; (c) polyvinyl alcohol; and (d) unmodified or modified gelatin; and (ii) a porous particulate material, the organic polymer being dispersed in the porous particulate material, is provided. Methods for manufacturing the microfluidic devices and their use in a number of applications are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony DADC Austria AG
    Inventors: Andrew John Naisby, Miguel Angel Torello Arevalo, Josef Kugler, Wolfgang Franz Reiter
  • Publication number: 20140322105
    Abstract: A micro-reactor system assembly comprises a stack of at least n process modules (1-6), wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, made from a rigid first material and comprising at least one reactive fluid passage (1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 6A) for accommodating and guiding a reactive fluid, and at least n+1 heat exchange modules (7, 8) made from a ductile second material other than said first material and comprising at least one heat exchange fluid passage (7A, 8A) for accommodating and guiding a heat exchange fluid, wherein each process module (1-6) is sandwiched between two adjacent heat exchange modules (7, 8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Lonza AG
    Inventors: Dominique Roberge, Nikolaus Bieler, Bertin Zimmermann, Rainald Forbert
  • Patent number: 8828337
    Abstract: A microreactor with at least one cavity, which comprises a bottom, a side wall and an opening disposed opposite the bottom, has a cross-section intersecting the side wall parallel to the bottom, the cross-section having a shape diverging from a round, square or rectangular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: m2p-labs GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kensy, Carsten Mueller, Jochen Buechs, Matthias Funke
  • Patent number: 8815183
    Abstract: A reactor formed within a honeycomb monolith is disclosed, the monolith having a plurality of parallel cells and comprising one or more process fluid paths lying within closed cells of the monolith and extending laterally from cell to cell, the monolith having porous walls that are coated with a non-porous coating in at least a first zone along the one or more process fluid paths and that remain porous in at least a second zone along the one or more process fluid paths, the porous walls in the second zone adapted to allow permeate in a respective process fluid path to pass through the porous walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James Scott Sutherland, Andrew David Woodfin
  • Patent number: 8802039
    Abstract: Novel designs for microchannel apparatus are described in which microchannels are shaped to reduce the amount of material needed to build an apparatus. In these designs, some microchannels are shaped, in cross-section, to provide relatively more structural material in areas of greatest stress, while leaving greater area for unit operations in areas of the apparatus that are subjected to relatively less stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Neagle, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Soumitra Deshmukh, Ravi Arora
  • Patent number: 8765081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas, and more particularly, to a micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas containing methane gas from synthetic gas, including a porous nickel plate catalyst part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Jong Soo Park, Shin Kun Ryi, Kyung Ran Hwang, Dong Kook Kim, Tae Hwan Kim, Chun Boo Lee, Sung Wook Lee
  • Publication number: 20140094626
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for coating fluidic channels, particularly millifluidic channels, with a catalyst coating having controlled dimensions and morphology, and methods for preparing such channels, and devices that can be used in combination with the channels. The invention further provides portable, hand-held millifluidic devices applicable for a wide variety of uses including molecular reduction reactions, in situ material characterization, in situ reaction catalysis characterization, in situ reaction mechanism characterization, nanomaterial synthesis, nanostructured metal and metal oxide growth and coating of channels, continuous flow cell culturing, enzymatic catalysis, biomolecular catalysis, combinatorial chemistry, reactions involving homogeneous catalysts bound to channel walls, peptide synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, biofunctionalization of nanomaterials or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Siva Sai Ramana Kumar CHALLA
  • Patent number: 8685348
    Abstract: The invention concerns a nanowire structural element which is suited for implementation in, for example, a microreactor system or microcatalyzer system. For the production of the nanowire structural element, a template based process is used wherein the electrochemical deposition of the nanowires in nanopores is ideally carried out at least until caps are formed and said caps ideally are at least partially merged together. After reinforcing the two cover layers the structured hollow chamber between the two cover layers is cleared by dissolving the template foil and removing the dissolved template material, wherein the two cover layers remain intact. In this manner, a stable sandwich-like nanostructure is constructed with a two-dimensional hollow chamber-like structure in the plane parallel to the cover layers contained on both sides by the cover layers and permeated in a column-like manner with nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: GSI Helmholtzzentrum fur Schwerionenforschung GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Cornelius, Wolfgang Ensinger, Reinhard Neumann, Markus Rauber
  • Patent number: 8685365
    Abstract: Provided is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Mathias, G. Bradley Chadwell, Annalee Y. Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Matthew B. Schmidt, Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Thomas D. Yuschak, Bin Yang
  • Patent number: 8679418
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating bodies (e.g., porous bodies) are described. Various aspects provide for reactors and the fabrication of reactors. Some reactors include surfaces that provide for heterogeneous reactions involving a fluid (and/or components thereof). A fluid may be a gas and/or a liquid. A contaminant in the fluid (e.g., a dissolved or suspended substance) may react in a reaction. A contaminant may be filtered from a fluid. Some reactors provide for independent control of heat transfer (between the fluid, the reactor, and the environment) with respect to mass transfer (e.g., fluid flow through the reactor).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Errcive, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Ramberg, Stephen A. Dynan
  • Patent number: 8673243
    Abstract: A reactor includes respective first and second introduction passages for introducing first and second reactants, a merging passage in which the first reactant merges with the second reactant, and a reaction passage in which the two merged reactants react with each other. First and second introduction grooves respectively constituting part of the first and second introduction passages are formed in a first surface of the base of the flow path structure of the reactor, while a reaction groove constituting part of the reaction passage is formed in a second surface of the base. A merging hole constituting part of the merging passage runs from the first surface of the base to the second surface thereof. The downstream end of the first introduction groove and the downstream end of the second introduction groove merge at the merging hole from different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Noishiki, Yasutake Miwa
  • Patent number: 8668886
    Abstract: A bioreactor that combines the steps of recombinant expression and separation of a biological product by binding the secreted biological product with a resin, discarding the nutrient medium and eluting the biological product as a concentrated solution, eliminating the steps of sterile filtration and volume reduction. The method also allows loading of resin for column-purification, eliminating all steps of perfusion process and maintaining a sink condition of a toxic product in nutrient medium to optimize productivity of host cells. The instant invention also allows harvesting of solubilized inclusion bodies after the cells have been lysed and refolding of proteins inside the bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Therapeutic Proteins International, LLC
    Inventor: Sarfaraz Niazi
  • Patent number: 8632729
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fixed bed reactor for carrying out a mixed gas/liquid phase reaction, wherein the reactor has a piping structure composed of microchannels, the cross-sectional area of the fixed bed is 0.0001 cm2 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Scienec and Technology, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoya Inoue, Tomio Kato, Kenji Kato
  • Patent number: 8598046
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the synthesis of nanostructures using at least one solution providing at least one chemical element appropriate for the type of nanostructure, the method comprising the steps of: a) adding (admixing) a reducing agent to the at least one solution, b) bringing a suitable substrate into contact with the at least one solution before or after step a), c) forming nucleation growth sites on the substrate and d) maintaining the temperature at a suitable level for the growth of the nanostructures, characterized by the further steps of e) providing at least one space having at least one dimension in the micron range, e.g. in the range from 1 ?m to 500 ?m, adjacent a surface of the substrate, f) growing said nanostructures in said at least one space, g) periodically separating said nanostructures from the substrate and removing them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Vivek Pachauri, Ashraf Ahmad, Kannan Balasubramanian, Klaus Kern
  • Patent number: 8591841
    Abstract: In relation to a microreactor, and also a microreactor system applying the same therein, not producing any dead volume therein, and thereby achieving a high level of mixing properties even at a low solution flow rate and having a simple structure thereof, disclosed herein are a microreactor and microreactor system, comprising a channel for mixing up at least two (2) types of fluids, and thereby conducting mixing/reacting of fluids by conducting the mixing/reacting of the fluids at least one (1) time, i.e., being suitable for so-called a multi-step reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukako Asano, Tetsuro Miyamoto, Shigenori Togashi, Yoshishige Endo, Hidekazu Tsudome, Hajime Kato
  • Patent number: 8585990
    Abstract: Disclosed is a micro-macro channel reactor comprising: a top end plate and a bottom end plate assembled on the outskirts of the micro-macro channel reactor; a heat exchanging plate by which a heat exchanging material passes through passages thereof so that heat is transferred between the heat exchanging material and such a fluid as a reactant, a product, or a mixture thereof that passes through a catalyst plate; a catalyst plate stacked and assembled together with the heat exchanging plate and including a catalyst section containing a reaction catalyst necessary to perform a catalytic reaction of the reactant while the reactant is passing through the catalyst section; and a support plate stacked and assembled together with the catalyst plate and configured to provide passages that allows the reactant to pass through the catalyst section of the catalyst plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dong Ju Moon, Sang Deuk Lee, Hyoung Shick Yim, Jung Shik Kang, MoonJu Park, Eun Hur, Su Hyun Cho, Byung Gwon Lee
  • Patent number: 8580211
    Abstract: An apparatus is described which comprises at least one process microchannel having a height, width and length, the height being up to about 10 mm, the process microchannel having a base wall extending in one direction along the width of the process microchannel and in another direction along the length of the process microchannel; at least one fin projecting into the process microchannel from the base wall and extending along at least part of the length of the process microchannel; and a catalyst or sorption medium supported by the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Dongming Qiu, Richard Q. Long, Barry L. Yang, Thomas Yuschak, Steven T. Perry
  • Patent number: 8580201
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include processing steps and subsystems, within automated-biopolymer-synthesis systems and within other automated systems for organic-chemistry-based processing, for removing reagent solutions and solvents from reaction chambers following various synthetic reaction steps and washing steps undertaken during biopolymer synthesis. Embodiments of the present invention employ any of various different types of liquid-absorbing materials to wick, or remove by capillary action, liquids from reaction chambers. Wicking-based methods and subcomponents of the present invention remove significantly greater fractions of solutions from reaction chambers than conventional methods and subsystems and, in addition, are mechanically simpler and produce fewer deleterious side effects than currently used methods and subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: OligoCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsing-Yeh Parker, John C. Tabone, John Mulligan
  • Patent number: 8574500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a component comprising a plurality of plates stacked on each other, at least one of said plates being made of a ceramic material and in which a channel area is formed of fluid flow guide channels by means of webs, said channels having a flow connection to inlet and outlet openings, wherein the stack of plates is connected by force fit by means of a clamping device, and wherein a flat seal is disposed between each of the individual plates of the stack, wherein the flat seal is made of an elastic and/or compressible material and covers both the channel area and the areas encompassing the inlet and outlet openings, and at least partially covers the top sides of the webs forming the channels. The components according to the invention are pressure-tight, resistant to thermal shock, and can be dismantled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: ESK Ceramics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Meschke, Andreas Lemke, Stefanie Wildhack, Paul Salansky
  • Patent number: 8574419
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chemical reactor with a nanometric superstructure, comprising at least one member wherein at least one reaction chamber is arranged, and said reaction chamber being filled at least partially with a high specific surface area material having a specific surface area greater than 5 m2/g, and characterized in that said high specific surface area material is selected from nanotubes or nanofibers. These nanotubes or nanofibers are preferably selected in the group consisting of carbon nanofibers or nanotubes, ?-SiC nanofibers or nanotubes, TiO2 nanofibers or nanotubes. They may be deposited on an intermediate structure selected in the group consisting of glass fibers, carbon fibers, SiC foams, carbon foams, alveolar ?-SiC foams, said intermediate structure filling the reaction chamber of said reactor at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universite de Strasbourg
    Inventors: Cuong Phamhuu, Nicolas Keller, Jacques M. Ledoux, Izabella Janowska, David Edouard, Valérie Keller-Spitzer, Thierry Romero, Liu Yu
  • Patent number: 8557186
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Robert S. Wegeng, Yong Wang, David Vanderwiel, Jennifer L. Marco
  • Patent number: 8551417
    Abstract: In order to provide, when a plurality of fluids each containing a different kind of substance are mixed and reacted, a reactor having a mixing channel capable of forming a multi-layered flow in a radial direction in the cylindrically-shaped mixing channel; improving mixing performance by synergizing swirling effects of mixture of turbulent flows and a swirling flow; and producing a reaction product with a high yield as well as high efficiency, a mixing channel 1 which mixes fluids 4 and 5 each containing the different kind of substance is cylindrically shaped, and inlet passages 2 and 3 which introduce the fluids 4 and 5, respectively, are plurally arranged in a manner offset from a central axis of the mixing channel 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomofumi Shiraishi, Tsutomu Kawamura, Takeyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 8536366
    Abstract: A process for the continuous production of a compound of Formula (II), HO—R1—ONO2 (II) wherein R1 is a straight chain alkyl radical having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, in a two-phase solvent system, comprising contacting a compound of Formula (I), HO—R1—OH (I) wherein R1 is as defined above, with nitric acid in the presence of a first solvent, wherein the compound of Formula (II) is continuously extracted into a second solvent, and the reaction is carried out in a mixing microreactor which provides a power loss of at least 1.3 times the power loss provided under identical conditions by a circular cross-section straight-channel microreactor having an internal diameter equal to the average hydraulic diameter of the mixing microreactor and a length equal to the length of the mixing microreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: DSM Fine Chemicals Austria NFG GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Sascha Braune, Stefan Steinhofer, Peter Poechlauer, Rafael Wilhelmus E. G. Reintjens, Nicole Theodora W. Linssen, Mehul Thathagar
  • Patent number: 8534909
    Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises at least one reactant passage defined by walls and comprising at least one parallel multiple flow path configuration comprising a group of elementary design patterns being able to provide mixing and/or residence time which are arranged in series with fluid communication so as to constitute flow paths, and in parallel so as to constitute a multiple flow path elementary design pattern, wherein the parallel multiple flow path configuration comprises at least two communicating zones between elementary design patterns of two adjacent parallel flow paths, said communicating zones being in the same plane as that defined by said elementary design patterns between which said communicating zone is placed and allowing passage of fluid in order to minimize mass flow rate difference between adjacent parallel flow paths which have the same flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Roland Guidat, Elena Daniela Lavric, Olivier Lobet, Pierre Woehl
  • Patent number: 8512653
    Abstract: A micro-reactor system assembly comprises a stack of at least n process modules (1-6), wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, made from a rigid first material and comprising at least one reactive fluid passage (1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 6A) for accommodating and guiding a reactive fluid, and at least n+1 heat exchange modules (7, 8) made from a ductile second material other than said first material and comprising at least one heat exchange fluid passage (7A, 8A) for accommodating and guiding a heat exchange fluid, wherein each process module (1-6) is sandwiched between two adjacent heat exchange modules (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Lonza AG
    Inventors: Dominique Roberge, Nikolaus Bieler, Bertin Zimmermann, Rainald Forbert
  • Patent number: 8486163
    Abstract: A micro reforming reactor includes a first substrate with a micro channel having a width of less than 1,000 ?m bonded to a second substrate to form a micro tunnel. An adhesive layer is formed on the internal walls of the micro tunnel using a flow coating method. A catalyst may then be optionally formed on the adhesive coated internal walls of the micro tunnel, also using a flow coating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Seoul National University Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Ju-Yong Kim, Ho-Jin Kweon, Jae-Jeong Kim, Oh-Joong Kwon, Sun-Mi Hwang
  • Patent number: 8475729
    Abstract: A method of forming a honeycomb reactor or reactor component is disclosed, including the steps of providing a honeycomb structure having cells divided by cell walls, providing an array of cutting tools arrayed in a pattern so as to be able to simultaneously align with a first plurality of the cell walls at a first end of the structure, and cutting the walls of the first plurality, reducing their height. Systems utilizing the reactors or reactor components thus formed are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: James Scott Sutherland
  • Patent number: 8476382
    Abstract: This present invention provides devices for the parallelization of the formation of droplets in a multiple droplet generator integrating two or more parallel flow-focusing devices (FFDs) with either identical, or different, geometries. In the parallel identical FFDs, emulsification generates droplets with a narrow (below 4%) polydispersity despite weak coupling between the identical flow-focusing devices. Formation of droplets in the integrated droplet generator comprising FFDs with different dimensions of the microchannels occurs with strong coupling between the FFDs and produces droplets with varying sizes and size distributions. For such devices the regime in which emulsification produces droplets with varying dimensions and a narrow size distribution have been identified. The results of this work can be used in scaling up the production of droplets and in the simultaneous production of droplets and particles with different dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Eugenia Kumacheva
  • Patent number: 8449830
    Abstract: A microfluidic arrangement for extracting and optionally processing an extract from a sample and for transferring the extract in flowable form to a microfluidic chip using an extractor with a compressible extraction chamber and at least one opening thereof, a reactor that has a reaction chamber, an inlet opening that communicates with the at least one opening of the extractor, wherein the two openings define a flow path between the chambers, an outlet opening for fluidically connecting to the microfluidic chip and a ventilation opening of the reaction chamber, and having a filter arrangement installed in the flow path between the extractor and the reactor. A lab-on-a-chip system with such a microfluidic arrangement and a microfluidic chip that is rigidly connected to the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Institut fur Mikrotechnik Mainz GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Claussen, Stephan Wittayer, Susanne Selzer, Frithjof Von Germar
  • Patent number: 8449847
    Abstract: Device and method for handling multi-component mixtures, comprising at least two not completely mixable fluid phases. The device comprises an arrangement of at least two high-pressure separators, being operatively connected each with a low-pressure separator. Each high-pressure separator comprises an outlet line for volatile gaseous constituents. Each low-pressure separator is operatively connected to a gas collecting container or shares at least one gas collecting container with a further low-pressure separator. At least one high-pressure separator has at least one outlet connection for gaseous constituents, being connected with a part to the analysis. The device is used in high-throughput research or in combinatory chemistry, preferably for the research of multi-component mixtures produced in experiments with catalyst, or in connection with high-pressure processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: HTE Aktiengesellschaft The High Throughput Experimentation Company
    Inventors: Alfred Haas, Uwe Vietze, Andreas Christian Moeller
  • Publication number: 20130129584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas, and more particularly, to a micro-channel reactor for producing synthetic natural gas containing methane gas from synthetic gas, including a porous nickel plate catalyst part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Jong Soo Park, Shin Kun Ryi, Kyung Ran Hwang, Dong Kook Kim, Tae Hwan Kim, Chun Boo Lee, Sung Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 8420017
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is described that has a slug mixing arrangement. A reaction well has an input flow channel with a first valve near the reaction well, and a second valve further from the reaction well. A fluid source is connected to the segment in between the two valves. A second fluid source is connected behind the second valve. The channel between the two valves receives the first fluid by blind filling when the two valves are closed. The reaction well receives the first fluid followed by the second fluid when the first and second valves are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C Jones, Jing Wang, Andrew May, David Cohen
  • Patent number: 8383054
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results, and/or results that can not be achieved with any prior art devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Paul W. Neagle, Dongming Qiu, Matthew B. Schmidt, Steven T. Perry, David J. Hesse, Robert J. Luzenski, G. Bradley Chadwell, Ying Peng, James A. Mathias, Nathan P. Gano, Richard Q. Long, Wm. Allen Rogers, Ravi Arora, Wayne W. Simmons, Barry L. Yang, David J. Kuhlmann, Yong Wang, Thomas D. Yuschak, Thomas Forte, John Arthur Monahan, Robert Jetter
  • Patent number: 8383050
    Abstract: A method and a device for the parallel study of chemical reactions in at least two spatially separated reaction spaces is provided. A device for the parallel study of chemical reactions includes at least the following components: (a) at least two spatially separated reaction spaces; (b) on the reaction space input side, at least one common educt feed for the reaction spaces according to (a); (d) on the reaction space output side, at least one connection per reaction space to at least one holding gas feed common to all the reaction spaces, or subsets of them; (e) on the reaction space output side, and downstream of the connection to the holding gas feed according to (d) in the product flow direction, at least one restrictor per reaction space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: HTE AG
    Inventors: Alfred Haas, Wolfgang Strehlau, Armin Brenner, Oliver Koechel, Markus Friess, Torsten Zech
  • Publication number: 20130041050
    Abstract: A microchannel reactor comprising: (a) a plurality of process microchannels having particulates packed along the length of the microchannels; (b) a plurality of heat transfer microchannels in thermal communication with the plurality of process microchannels; and, (c) a first retainer positioned at a first end of the plurality of process microchannels to inhibit the particulates from exiting the process microchannels via the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Luzenski, Jeffery Slane, Thomas Yuschak, Paul Neagle, Michael Marchiando, Roy Lipski
  • Patent number: 8361798
    Abstract: For testing performance levels and/ or changes over time of at least one catalyst (CAT) for a fixed-bed reactor: a device (CT) for a test, comprising at least one hollow metal cartridge (MC) containing the catalyst (CAT) is connected at a point A of an industrial chemical installation containing a reaction feedstock suitable for testing the catalyst (CAT); a liquid stream containing a fraction that is less than or equal to 1% of preheated reagents circulating in the industrial chemical installation is circulated in the cartridge (MC) through the catalyst (CAT) and sampled at a reaction temperature for a period (T), and returned to the industrial chemical installation at point B downstream of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Olivier Ducreux, Fabienne Le Peltier, Cyril Collado
  • Publication number: 20120294903
    Abstract: In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, embodiments of the present disclosure, in one aspect, relate to methods of making nanostructures (e.g., nanoparticles, nanofibers), systems for making nanostructures, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC., The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Peng Guo, Charles R. Martin, Yaping Zhao, Richard N. Zare
  • Patent number: 8309040
    Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic control apparatus that includes at least one control means and a microfluidic control chip. When the microfluidic control chip is loaded to the control means, a needle provided to the control means is inserted into a reaction solution storage chamber of the microfluidic control chip, in which the reaction solution storage chamber is sealed with a sealing tape. Thus, fluid connection is easily formed between the microfluidic control chip and the control means without leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Kwang Hyo Chung, Dae-Sik Lee, Hyun Woo Song, Yo Han Choi
  • Patent number: 8287824
    Abstract: A micro-reactor system assembly comprises a stack of at least n process modules (1-6), wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, made from a rigid first material and comprising at least one reactive fluid passage (1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 6A) for accommodating and guiding a reactive fluid, and at least n+1 heat exchange modules (7, 8) made from a ductile second material other than said first material and comprising at least one heat exchange fluid passage (7A, 8A) for accommodating and guiding a heat exchange fluid, wherein each process module (1-6) is sandwiched between two adjacent heat exchange modules (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Lonza AG
    Inventors: Dominique Roberge, Nikolaus Bieler, Bertin Zimmermann, Rainald Forbert