In one example, a liquid mixture nozzle for flowing a liquid mixture therethrough includes a body having a flow inlet and a flow outlet. The flow inlet is configured to couple to a first piece of piping and the flow outlet is configured to couple to a second piece of piping. The liquid mixture nozzle also includes a converging section having a decreasing diameter positioned adjacent the flow inlet, an orifice positioned at a narrow end of the converging section, an intermediate section having a constant diameter positioned adjacent the orifice, a diverging section having an increasing diameter positioned adjacent the intermediate section and the flow outlet.

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce a product such as a biofuel.

An apparatus for mixing fluids within a pipe is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a fluid mixing device with a pipe having a pipe wall and an axial bore for conveying fluids through the pipe. The fluid mixing device also includes a sleeve disposed about the pipe and a cavity provided between an exterior surface of the pipe and an interior surface of the sleeve. The cavity and the axial bore of the pipe are in fluid communication with one another via an opening through the pipe wall. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

A microfluidic mixing device comprises a main channel and a number of secondary channels extending from a portion of the main channel and entering another portion of the main channel. A number of actuators are located in the secondary channels to pump fluids through the secondary channels. A microfluidic mixing system comprises a microfluidic mixing device. The microfluidic mixing device comprises a main fluid mixing channel, a number of main channel actuators to pump fluid through the main fluid mixing channel, a number of secondary channels fluidly coupled to the main fluid mixing channel, and a number of secondary channel actuators to pump fluids through the secondary channels. The microfluidic mixing device also comprises a fluid source, and a control device to provide fluids from the fluid source to the microfluidic mixing device and activate the main channel actuators and secondary channel actuators.

A mixer for a continuous flow reactor and methods for forming the mixer and the operation thereof. The mixer allows for segmentation of a primary reactant flow through a plurality of ports into many smaller flows that are injected as jets into a secondary reactant flow in channels of the mixer. The channel has a constant width dimension to enhance even flow distribution and local turbulence of the primary and secondary reactant flows. The constant width dimension of the channel and the size and number of the ports of the mixer can be configured to ensure the primary reactant flow injected into the channel directly impinges on a surface of the channel that is opposite the injection point at normal operating conditions.

A mixing spool is utilized to mix a liquid coagulant into water flowing through a large conduit. The mixing spool is inserted as a segment into the conduit. The mixing spool utilizes a pair of opposite facing nozzles which extend through a wall of the spool into the interior of the spool. The nozzles receive a pressurized liquid flow through a manifold. A chemical injection quill has an open end positioned between the opposite facing nozzles, wherein the chemical injection quill is configured to deliver the liquid coagulant into the water flowing through the conduit.

A mixing spool is utilized to mix a liquid coagulant into water flowing through a large conduit. The mixing spool is inserted as a segment into the conduit. The mixing spool utilizes a pair of opposite facing nozzles which extend through a wall of the spool into the interior of the spool. The nozzles receive a pressurized liquid flow through a manifold. A chemical injection quill has an open end positioned between the opposite facing nozzles, wherein the chemical injection quill is configured to deliver the liquid coagulant into the water flowing through the conduit.

A fluid shear inducer includes a housing defining a primary flow path, a secondary flow path branching from the primary flow path, a return junction connecting the secondary flow path back to the primary flow path, and a fluid accelerator associated with the secondary flow path. A method for shearing fluid includes flowing a fluid into a housing defining a primary flow path and a secondary flow path, branching some of the flowing fluid from the primary flow path into the secondary flow path, accelerating the fluid in the secondary flow path, and impinging the accelerated fluid from the secondary flow path into the fluid in the primary flow path. A fluid system includes a fluid reservoir, a pump operably connected to the reservoir, and a fluid shear inducer fluidly connected to the pump.

A fluid shear inducer includes a housing defining a primary flow path, a secondary flow path branching from the primary flow path, a return junction connecting the secondary flow path back to the primary flow path, and a fluid accelerator associated with the secondary flow path. A method for shearing fluid includes flowing a fluid into a housing defining a primary flow path and a secondary flow path, branching some of the flowing fluid from the primary flow path into the secondary flow path, accelerating the fluid in the secondary flow path, and impinging the accelerated fluid from the secondary flow path into the fluid in the primary flow path. A fluid system includes a fluid reservoir, a pump operably connected to the reservoir, and a fluid shear inducer fluidly connected to the pump.