A process for continuous preparation of halogenated alkoxyethane of general formula XCIHCCF.sub.2OR, where X is Cl or F and OR is C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, the process comprising a step of introducing in a plate reactor reaction components comprising (i) a compound of general formula XCIHCCYF.sub.2, where each of X and Y is independently Cl or F, (ii) a base, and (iii) a C.sub.1-4 alkanol, wherein (a) the plate reactor comprises a fluidic module defining one or more fluidic path(s) through which the reaction components flow as a reaction mixture, and (b) the halogenated alkoxyethane is formed at least upon the reaction components mixing, with the so formed halogenated alkoxyethane flowing out of the plate reactor in a reactor effluent, and (c) the base is one that forms a salt soluble in the alkanol during formation of the halogenated alkoxyethane.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic flow process for making polymers, polymers made by such processes, and methods of using such polymers. In such process, a novel reagent delivery setup is used in conjunction with microfluidic reaction technology to synthesize anionic polymerization reaction products from superheated monomer orders of magnitude faster than is possible in batch and continuous syntheses. The aforementioned process does not require the cryogenic temperatures which are required for such syntheses in batch or bulk continuous. Thus the aforementioned process is more economically efficient and reduces the environmental impact of linear polymer production.

A method of separating a plurality of particles (14) from a portion of fluid, comprising directing the plurality of particles (14) into a microchannel (12). A first portion (16) of particles (14) is focused into an equilibrium position in the microchannel (12). The focused first portion (16) is directed into a first outlet (18) aligned with the equilibrium position. A portion of the fluid is directed into one or more outlets (20, 22). A microfluidic device (10) for separating a plurality of particles (14) from a portion of fluid, comprising a microchannel (12) having a first aspect ratio and a length L, thereby focusing the particles (14) directed therein into an equilibrium position in the microchannel, wherein at least a first portion (16) of the particles (14) focuses at distance X from a beginning of the microchannel (12). A first outlet (18) disposed after distance X and aligned with the equilibrium position to receive at least the first portion (16) of the particles (14) after the first portion (16) focuses into an equilibrium position in the microchannel (12). At least a second outlet (20) for receiving a second portion of the particles (14) before the second portion focuses into an equilibrium position.

A method of separating a plurality of particles (14) from a portion of fluid, comprising directing the plurality of particles (14) into a microchannel (12). A first portion (16) of particles (14) is focused into an equilibrium position in the microchannel (12). The focused first portion (16) is directed into a first outlet (18) aligned with the equilibrium position. A portion of the fluid is directed into one or more outlets (20, 22). A microfluidic device (10) for separating a plurality of particles (14) from a portion of fluid, comprising a microchannel (12) having a first aspect ratio and a length L, thereby focusing the particles (14) directed therein into an equilibrium position in the microchannel, wherein at least a first portion (16) of the particles (14) focuses at distance X from a beginning of the microchannel (12). A first outlet (18) disposed after distance X and aligned with the equilibrium position to receive at least the first portion (16) of the particles (14) after the first portion (16) focuses into an equilibrium position in the microchannel (12). At least a second outlet (20) for receiving a second portion of the particles (14) before the second portion focuses into an equilibrium position.

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).

The present subject matter relates to devices and techniques for preparing a sample. The disclosed device can include a mixer, a reaction channel, and a micro sprayer. The mixer can be configured to mix at least two components and perform a splitting and recombination (SAR) mixing. The micro sprayer can be configured to generate a droplet of the sample. The mixer and the micro sprayer can be coupled through the reaction channel. The reaction channel can be a microcapillary tubing or a yin-yang reaction channel.

The cross-coupling reaction of 2-bromo-1-phenyl indenes with phenyl acetylenes or propargyl alcohol is disclosed. The cross-coupling reaction uses a palladium catalyst with triphenylphosphine in the absence of a copper co-catalyst. The reaction is carried out with pyrrolidine as the base in water at 120 C.

This invention relates to a process for conducting a hydrocracking or a hydrotreating process in a microchannel reactor. This invention also relates to a process and apparatus for flowing a vapor and liquid into a plurality of microchannels in a microchannel processing unit.

This invention relates to a process for converting a carbonaceous material to a desired product comprising methane, methanol and/or dimethyl ether, the process comprising: gasifying the carbonaceous material at a temperature in excess of about 700 C. to form synthesis gas; and flowing the synthesis gas through two or more reaction zones in a microchannel reactor to convert the synthesis gas to the desired product.

The present invention provides microsphere manufacturing method and apparatus capable of stable obtaining microspheres of a desired size and reducing facility cost. According to the method and the apparatus, to manufacture microspheres made of a second liquid in a first liquid, the first liquid is supplied into a first channel to flow therein and the second liquid is supplied to an intermediate part of the first channel through a second channel. The supply velocities of the first and second liquids are set such that the second liquid closes the first channel and the closing part of the second liquid is cut off due to a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side to form microspheres.