In one embodiment, a microfluidic device has a substrate that defines a first inlet for a continuous phase fluid, a second inlet for a dispersed phase fluid, and droplet generators that can produce micro-droplets from the continuous and dispersed phase fluids. The substrate defines (i) a plurality of delivery channels in fluid communication with the first and second inlets, each delivery channel having a first dimension along a first plane that is perpendicular to a transverse direction, and (ii) a plurality of trenches that extend from the delivery channels towards the droplet generators along the transverse direction. Each trench has a second dimension along a plane that is perpendicular to the transverse direction that is smaller than the first dimension. The substrate defines a plurality of vias that extend from the trenches to the droplet generators so as to fluidly connect the delivery channels with the droplet generators.

The invention relates to an integrated process for assessing one or more properties of a catalyst. In the method, a standard chemical reactor or reactors is/are provided, and a bypass means is also provided, to transport a sample of whatever is added to the industrial reactor, to the test reactor. Both gases and liquids are transferred to the test reactor.

A method for analyzing a catalyst in a catalytic reactor that operates under non-isothermal conditions includes the steps of: positioning a catalyst basket within a catalyst bed within the catalytic reactor, the catalyst basket containing catalyst material the forms the catalyst bed; operating the catalytic reactor, the catalyst basket having dimensions such that a temperature difference (T) along an axial direction (height) of the catalyst basket is non-isothermal; and analyzing the catalyst material contained within the catalyst basket. The temperature difference (T) is, in one embodiment, within a range of 1 C. to 40 C. and preferably, within a range of 5 C. to 25 C.

Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.

In a stirred tank chemical reactor the mean age of the reactor contents affects a number of properties of the product, including for example the homogeneity of the product. The mean average age of the reactor contents can be determined by constructing a transparent model of the reactor and filling it with a fluid containing a fluorescent dye and having flow properties comparable to those of the reactor in use. A light is shone on the fluid as it is stirred under reaction conditions and a clear fluid flow into the model. Pictures are taken of the reactor contents and the mean fluid age of the contents of the model are determined relative to the exit age of the contents. This approach can be applied to determine for example which reactor ports to use, what agitator to use, what flow rates to use to improve reactor function.

In the thermochemical water splitting process by the CuCl cycle, oxygen gas is produced by a thermolysis process in a three-phase reactor. A precise knowledge of the hydrodynamic and heat transfer analyses is required for the scale-up of the thermolysis reactor. However, in the experimental studies of the scale up analysis, there are some challenges in using the actual materials of the thermolysis reactor products (i.e. molten salt CuCl and oxygen gas). In accordance with the teachings herein, alternative materials are defined, by using dimensional analyses, to simulate the hydrodynamic and heat transfer behaviors of the actual materials. It has been found that these alternative materials are liquid water at 222 C. and helium gas at 902 C. The alternative materials provide safe environment for the experimental runs as well as lower operating temperature. Furthermore, these alternative materials are more readily available and are low cost.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a fluid catalytic reactor may be scaled-up by a method that includes one or more of constructing, operating, observing, or obtaining data related to a template fluid catalytic reactor comprising a template riser, a template lower reactor portion, and a template transition portion connecting the template riser and the template lower reactor portion. The method may further include one or more of constructing or operating a scaled-up fluid catalytic reactor based on the template fluid catalytic reactor.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a fluid catalytic reactor may be scaled-up by a method that includes one or more of constructing, operating, observing, or obtaining data related to a template fluid catalytic reactor comprising a template riser, a template lower reactor portion, and a template transition portion connecting the template riser and the template lower reactor portion. The method may further include one or more of constructing or operating a scaled-up fluid catalytic reactor based on the template fluid catalytic reactor.

A reactor apparatus for dehydrogenating a carrier medium includes a reactor housing, an interior space which is enclosed by the reactor housing and includes a preliminary space, which has an inflow opening for inflow of loaded carrier medium into the preliminary space and at least one first connecting opening for outflow of the carrier medium from the preliminary space, and includes a reaction space connected via the at least one first connecting opening to the preliminary space. The reactor apparatus additionally has a heat transfer space which is arranged between the reactor housing and the reaction space and contains a heat transfer medium for transfer of heat from the heat transfer medium to the carrier medium.

The present disclosure provides fluidic devices and fluidic device assemblies, including microfluidic devices and cartridges comprising the same, that in illustrative embodiments, can be used to make particles or protein precipitates, or to monitor precipitate formation. The fluidic devices typically include channels that connect a reaction well to an inlet port and an outlet port, and a fluidic constriction channel that is configured to help retain fluids in the reaction well and/or promote mixing within the reaction well. In some aspect, fluidic devices are interconnected into fluidic assemblies that can be used in continuous process methods.