A method of dry reforming methane with CO.sub.2 using a bi-metallic nickel and ruthenium-based catalyst. A dry reformer having the bimetallic catalyst as reforming catalyst, and a method of producing syngas with the dry reformer.

A system is described that is capable of operating as an energy conversion system that functions as a fuel cell and generates electrical current from a fuel or fuels, or as a reactor for conversion of starter materials into more complex molecules through ion-ion and ion-molecules and which may preferably be adapted to operate as a gas to liquid (GTL) process. The system ionises at least one fuel or starter material and manipulates, selects and transports ions for reaction by means of suitable electrostatic or electrodynamic ion guides, filters or drift tubes. The system of the present application replaces the electrolyte, catalyst and/or membrane found in classic fuel cells or GTL processes with an electrostatic or electrodynamic ion manipulation region such as an ion guide, analyser, drift tube or filter.

The present disclosure relates to a novel improved method for continuous crystallization of highly crystalline clathrate hydrates. The novel improved method utilizes a novel hydrator capable of overcoming heat and mass transfer limitations that usually constrain crystallization rate and thus reduces process productivity. The disclosed method and hydrator are for production of crystalline clathrates in general, CO.sub.2 capture, capture of other clathrate forming compounds, CO.sub.2 storage and transportation, storage and transportation of any clathrate forming compound in a solid lattice, gas separation or water desalination or purification purposes.

A method for preparing L-carnitine using a micro-reaction system. (R)-4-halo-3-hydroxybutyrate was subjected to quaternization and hydrolysis in an aqueous trimethylamine solution in the presence of an inorganic base in a micro-channel reactor to produce the L-carnitine.

A micro-reaction system and a method for preparing 2-methyl-4-amino-5-aminomethyl pyrimidine. A Raney nickel catalyst is modified with formalin, and the modified Raney nickel catalyst is filled into a micro-channel reactor of the micro-reaction system. A substrate solution containing 2-methyl-4-amino-5-cyanopyrimidine and a base and hydrogen are transported to the micro-mixer and the micro-channel reactor in sequence for continuous catalytic hydrogenation to obtain 2-methyl-4-amino-5-aminomethyl pyrimidine.

A full continuous flow preparation method of 2-methyl-4-amino-5-aminomethylpyrimidine. A mixed solution of cyanoacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide and a catalyst is mixed with phosphorus oxychloride in a first micro-mixer, and then the reaction mixture undergoes continuous flow reaction in a microchannel reactor to obtain (dimethylaminomethylene) malononitrile. The reaction mixture is subjected to continuous quenching, extraction and separation, and the organic phase is concentrated, mixed with a methanol solution, and then reacted with an organic base to obtain 2-methyl-4-amino-5-cyanopyrimidine. After the mixed liquid is continuously filtered, the filter cake is dissolved in methanol, mixed with hydrogen in a second micro-mixer, and then transported to a fixed-bed reactor for hydrogenation reaction. The products are concentrated, dried and purified to obtain the desired 2-methyl-4-amino-5-aminomethylpyrimidine.

Disclosed herein relates to pharmaceutical engineering, and more particularly to a micro reaction system and a method for preparing 2-methyl-4-amino-5-cyanopyrimidine using the same. An acetamidine hydrochloride solution and an (dimethylaminomethylene)malononitrile solution are separately pumped into the micro reaction system including a micromixer and an agitating microchannel reactor in communication at the same time for a continuous condensation-cyclization reaction to obtain 2-methyl-4-amino-5-cyanopyrimidine.

An apparatus for mass producing monodisperse microbubbles includes a microfluidic flow focusing device, which includes a dispersed phase fluid supply channel having an outlet that discharges into a flow focusing junction, a continuous phase fluid supply channel having an outlet that discharges into the flow focusing junction, and a bubble formation channel having an inlet disposed at the flow focusing junction. The configuration of the flow focusing junction is such that, in operation, a flow of dispersed phase fluid discharging from the outlet of the dispersed phase fluid supply channel is engageable in co-flow by a focusing flow of continuous phase fluid discharging from the outlet of the at least one continuous phase fluid supply channel under formation of a gradually thinning jet of dispersed phase fluid that extends into the inlet of the bubble formation channel.

A method of forming complex structures in a ceramic-, glass- or glass-ceramic-body microfluidic module is disclosed including the steps of providing at green-state refractory-material structure comprising least a portion of a body of a microfluidic module, providing a removeable insert formed of a carbon or of a carbonaceous material having an external surface comprising a negative surface of a desired surface to be formed in the microfluidic module, machining an opening in the green-state structure, positioning the insert in the opening, firing the green-state structure and the insert together, and after firing is complete, removing the insert. The insert is desirably a screw or screw shape, such that interior threads are formed thereby. The insert desirably comprises graphite, and the structure desirably comprises ceramic, desirably silicon carbide.

The present invention is related to a system and method for controlled manufacturing of mono-disperse microbubbles. According to the invention, the mono-disperse nature of the collection of generated microbubbles can be improved by releasing the pressurized gaseous medium used in the system using release valve units. This further allows the system to be embodied as a portable system. In turn, the operator of an ultrasound imaging apparatus may use the system according to the invention to generate microbubbles on a patient-by-patient basis.