A continuous acoustic chemical microreactor system is disclosed. The system includes a continuous process vessel (CPV) and an acoustic agitator coupled to the CPV and configured to agitate the CPV along an oscillation axis. The CPV includes a reactant inlet configured to receive one or more reactants into the CPV, an elongated tube coupled at a first end to the reactant inlet and configured to receive the reactants from the reactant inlet, and a product outlet coupled to a second end of the elongated tube and configured to discharge a product of a chemical reaction among the reactants from the CPV. The acoustic agitator is configured to agitate the CPV along the oscillation axis such that the inner surface of the elongated tube accelerates the one or more reactants in alternating upward and downward directions along the oscillation axis.

The disclosure relates to microchemical (or microfluidic) apparatus as well as related methods for making the same. The methods generally include partial sintering of sintering powder (e.g., binderless or otherwise free-flowing sintering powder) that encloses a fugitive phase material having a shape corresponding to a desired cavity structure in the formed apparatus. Partial sintering removes the fugitive phase and produces a porous compact, which can then be machined if desired and then further fully sintered to form the final apparatus. The process can produce apparatus with small, controllable cavities shaped as desired for various microchemical or microfluidic unit operations, with a generally smooth interior cavity finish, and with materials (e.g., ceramics) able to withstand harsh environments for such unit operations.

Provided is a method for manufacturing a polymer by a flow-type reaction, including introducing a liquid A containing an anionic polymerizable monomer and a non-polar solvent, a liquid B containing an anionic polymerization initiator and a non-polar solvent, a liquid C containing a polar solvent, and a polymerization terminator into different flow paths; allowing the liquids to flow in the respective flow paths; allowing the liquid A and the liquid B to join together at a joining portion; allowing a conjoined liquid M.sup.AB of the liquid A and the liquid B to join with the liquid C at downstream of the joining portion; subjecting the anionic polymerizable monomer to anionic polymerization while a conjoined liquid M.sup.ABC of the conjoined liquid M.sup.AB and the liquid C is flowing to downstream in a reaction flow path; and allowing a polymerization reaction solution flowing in the reaction flow path to join with the polymerization terminator so that the polymerization reaction is terminated and a polymer is obtained, in which a polarity of a solvent of the liquid M.sup.ABC is made higher than a polarity of a solvent of the liquid M.sup.AB. Also provided is a flow-type reaction system suited for performing the manufacturing method.

The disclosure relates to microchemical (or microfluidic) apparatus as well as related methods for making the same. The methods generally include partial sintering of sintering powder (e.g., binderless or otherwise free-flowing sintering powder) that encloses a fugitive phase material having a shape corresponding to a desired cavity structure in the formed apparatus. Partial sintering removes the fugitive phase and produces a porous compact, which can then be machined if desired and then further fully sintered to form the final apparatus. The process can produce apparatus with small, controllable cavities shaped as desired for various microchemical or microfluidic unit operations, with a generally smooth interior cavity finish, and with materials (e.g., ceramics) able to withstand harsh environments for such unit operations.

The invention relates to an exchanger-reactor comprising at least three stages with at least one stage comprising both: millimetric channels at least partially covered with a catalyst for stimulating a steam reforming reaction, and millimetric channels at least partially covered with a catalyst for stimulating a water gas reaction.

Systems and methods for synthesizing chemical products, including active pharmaceutical ingredients, are provided. Certain of the systems and methods described herein are capable of manufacturing multiple chemical products without the need to fluidically connect or disconnect unit operations when switching from one making chemical product to making another chemical product.

The invention provides methods of making laminated devices (especially microchannel devices) in which plates are assembled and welded together. Unlike conventional microchannel devices, the inventive laminated devices can be made without brazing or diffusion bonding; thus providing significant advantages for manufacturing. Features such as expansion joints and external welded supports are also described. Laminated devices and methods of conducting unit operations in laminated devices are also described.

Counter-flow heat exchanged is constructed with plenums at either end that separate the opposing fluids, the channels of which are arrayed in a checkerboard patterns, such that any given channel is surrounded by channels of opposing streams on four sideslaterally on both sides and vertically above and below.

Provided is a fluid flow-passage device in which the flow passage length of each of a plurality of fluid flow-passages can be increased even if the plurality of fluid flow-passages are formed so as to extend in parallel to each other, and in which the inside of each of the plurality of fluid flow-passages can be easily cleaned. In the fluid flow-passage device, a plurality of fluid flow-passages which extend in parallel to each other and through which a fluid is made to flow are disposed. The fluid flow-passage device comprises: a body having a plurality of substrates that are laminated in a prescribed lamination direction; and a plurality of lids, each of which can be attached to and detached from the body. Each of the plurality of fluid flow-passages includes: a first fluid flow-passage that is disposed between two substrates among the plurality of substrates, the two substrates being in contact with each other in the lamination direction; and a second fluid flow-passage that is disposed between two substrates among the plurality of substrates, the two substrates being in contact with each other in the lamination direction and being disposed at a different position in the lamination direction from the first fluid flow-passage, and that is positioned more toward the downstream side than the first fluid flow-passage in the direction in which the fluid flows.

The disclosed invention relates to a method for restarting a synthesis gas conversion process which has stopped. The synthesis gas conversion process may be conducted in a conventional reactor or a microchannel reactor. The synthesis gas conversion process may comprise a process for converting synthesis gas to methane, methanol or dimethyl ether. The synthesis gas conversion process may be a Fischer-Tropsch process.