Conversion of heavy fossil hydrocarbons (HFH) to a variety of value-added chemicals and/or fuels can be enhanced using microwave (MW) and/or radio-frequency (RF) energy. Variations of reactants, process parameters, and reactor design can significantly influence the relative distribution of chemicals and fuels generated as the product. In one example, a system for flash microwave conversion of HFH includes a source concentrating microwave or RF energy in a reaction zone having a pressure greater than 0.9 atm, a continuous feed having HFH and a process gas passing through the reaction zone, a HFH-to-liquids catalyst contacting the HFH in at least the reaction zone, and dielectric discharges within the reaction zone. The HFH and the catalyst have a residence time in the reaction zone of less than 30 seconds. In some instances, a plasma can form in or near the reaction zone.

A method of photooxygenating furfural in a photooxygenating system, whereby a liquid mixture comprising furfural, a photosensitizer, and a reaction solvent is passed through a reaction section of the photooxygenating system, wherein the liquid mixture is exposed to solar radiation, while a portion of the furfural is oxidized in presence of the photosensitizer and a furanone compound is produced. Various embodiments of the photocatalytic water splitting reactor, and the water splitting system are also provided.

A fluid flow-through device and a photochemical reactor. The fluid flow-through device (1) includes an outer tube (2) having an outer surface (21) and an inner surface (22); and an inner tube (3) having an outer surface (31) and an inner surface (32), the inner tube being disposed inside the outer tube and forming a channel of a fluid by the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface, with a distance between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube in a thickness direction of the outer tube being from 100 nm to 5 mm. The photochemical reactor includes the fluid flow-through device and a photocatalyst disposed on at least one surface of the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube.

Systems and methods taught herein enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction (i.e., 0) and side detection (i.e., 90). The location of the microfluidic channel as taught herein enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.

The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting ethylbenzene to styrene, comprising: flowing a feed composition comprising ethylbenzene in at least one process microchannel in contact with at least one catalyst to dehydrogenate the ethylbenzene and form a product comprising styrene; exchanging heat between the process microchannel and at least one heat exchange channel in thermal contact with the process microchannel; and removing product from the process microchannel. Also disclosed is an apparatus comprising a process microchannel, a heat exchange channel, and a heat transfer wall positioned between the process microchannel and heat exchange channel wherein the heat transfer wall comprises a thermal resistance layer.

Systems and methods enable simultaneous forward and side detection of light originating within a microfluidic channel disposed in a substrate. At least a portion of the microfluidic channel is located in the substrate relative to a first side surface of the substrate to enable simultaneous detection paths with respect to extinction and side detection. The location of the microfluidic channel enables a maximal half-angle for a ray of light passing from a center of the portion of the microfluidic channel through the first side surface to be in a range from 25 to 90 degrees in some embodiments. By placing at least the portion of the microfluidic channel proximate to the side surface of the substrate, a significantly greater proportion of light emitted or scattered from a particle within the microfluidic channel can be collected and imaged on a detector as compared to conventional particle processing chips.