Disclosed are techniques to mimic turbulent-enhanced reactivity under confinement by the addition of dilute high molecular weight polymers. Micro-scale imaging within a transparent porous medium reveals an elastic instability (EI), which drives chaotic fluctuations that stretch and fold solute blobs exponentially in time analogous to turbulent Batchelor mixing, despite the low Re. A reduction in the required mixing length can be observed, suggesting a cooperation between the elastic instability and the dispersion inherent to the disordered 3D porous mediawhich can be modeled as additive independent mixing rates, representing a dramatic conceptual simplification. The disclosed enhanced transport of solutes circumvents the traditional trade-off between throughput and reactor length, allowing a simultaneous large reduction in length and increases in throughput. Elastic flow instabilities can provide turbulent-like enhancements in chemical reaction rates, which can operate cooperatively with dispersive mixing in industrially relevant geometries.

One embodiment provides a chemical reactor, which can comprise a substrate for facilitating chemical reactions occurring at triple-phase boundaries. One possible substrate may further comprise a set of dynamically controllable sites and/or pixels upon which control signals may affect a desired formation of gas bubbles over an active catalytic (or other desired) solid surface in a liquid flowwherein a chemical reaction in two or more phase boundaries may occur. In yet another embodiment, a control algorithm may send control signals to controllable sites/pixels to maximize the operation of the reactor according to a desired metric (e.g., product formation) that may input a set of sensor data to affect its control.

A multi-tubular chemical reactor includes an igniter for the initiation of gas phase exothermic reaction within the gas phase reaction zones of the tubular reactor units.

Provided herein are methods of capturing particulates. The methods may include contacting particulates in a gas stream with one or more acoustic waves. The one or more acoustic waves may include standing waves or waves of modulating frequency. The methods may include promoting agglomeration of particulates with an electrostatic force. Also provided herein are systems for capturing particulates.

A multi-tubular chemical reactor (400) includes an igniter (435) for the initiation of gas phase exothermic reaction within the gas phase reaction zones (409) of the tubular reactor units (408). A method of carrying out a gas phase exothermic reaction within the multi-tubular chemical reactor comprising: introducing gaseous reactants into a tubular reactor unit (408); initiating with radiant heat an exothermic reaction of the gaseous reactants within the reactor unit; and transferring heat produced by the exothermic reaction occurring within the gas phase reaction zone of the reactor unit to the gas phase reaction zone of one or more adjacent reactor units (408), thereby initiating an exothermic reaction within at least one adjacent reactor unit (408) until in such manner an exothermic reaction has been initiated in each of the plurality of spaced-apart reactor units (408).

A dual utilization liquid and gaseous fuel CPOX reformer that includes reaction zones for the CPOX reforming of liquid and gaseous reformable fuels. A reforming method is also provided. The method comprises reforming a first gaseous reformable reaction mixture comprising oxygen-containing gas and vaporized liquid fuel and before or after this step, reforming second gaseous reformable reaction mixture comprising oxygen-containing gas and gaseous fuel to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate.

In a method for monitoring a chemical reaction in a continuously operated reactor with at least one tube section, wherein the reactor has an intake, an outlet and a main flow direction running between the intake and the outlet, substances are supplied to the reactor via the intake and a product mixture made up of these substances and the solidified products thereof is created in the reactor. The reaction is monitored and measures are taken to prevent an uncontrolled reaction process, wherein these measures comprise at least the following steps: interruption of the intake and outlet, active pressure relief of the reactor and flushing of the reactor with an inert substance. This facilitates a safe and efficient interruption of the chemical reaction.

A chemical reactor (e.g. reformer reactor) system includes a manifold (126) for management of a flow of gaseous reaction medium thereto. Manifold (126) includes manifold housing (128) defining manifold chamber (129) and having at least one additional component selected from: a gas distributor (127); a heater; and a cavity having a seal within or adjacent to it.

A liquid fuel reformer includes a fuel vaporizer which utilizes heat from an upstream source of heat, specifically, an electric heater, operable in the start-up mode of the reformer, and therefore independent of the reforming reaction zone of the reformer, to vaporize fuel in a downstream vaporization zone.

A liquid fuel reformer (400) includes a fuel vaporizer (415) which utilizes heat from an upstream source of heat, specifically, an electric heater (406), operable in the start-up mode of the reformer (400), and therefore independent of the reforming reaction zone of the reformer, to vaporize fuel in a downstream vaporization zone.