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.

Parallel uses of microfluidic methods and devices for focusing and/or forming discontinuous sections of similar or dissimilar size in a fluid are described. In some aspects, the present invention relates generally to flow-focusing-type technology, and also to microfluidics, and more particularly parallel use of microfluidic systems arranged to control a dispersed phase within a dispersant, and the size, and size distribution, of a dispersed phase in a multi-phase fluid system, and systems for delivery of fluid components to multiple such devices.

A method of manufacturing a microfluidic system or microfluidic device having at least one channel includes providing a base sheet, providing a deformable intermediate layer, providing a cover film, and laminating the base sheet, the intermediate layer and the cover film so that a back surface of the intermediate layer is attached to a front surface of the base sheet and a back surface of the cover film is attached to a front surface of the intermediate layer opposite to the back surface thereof, thereby forming a laminate comprising the base sheet, the intermediate layer and the cover film. Further, the method includes applying pressure to the front surface of the intermediate layer through the cover film so as to deform the intermediate layer, thereby forming the at least one channel. The invention also relates to a microfluidic system or microfluidic device) manufactured by this method.

A chemical reactor/mixer, in particular for producing hydrates comprising a mixer network plate and heat exchanger plates wherein the network mixer plate comprises an array of chambers that are connected by channels where the flow of one or more fluids is mixed and divide sequentially. The network mixer plate is confined by the heat exchanger plate that have an inner chamber where a heat exchanger fluid is introduced. Said network plates and heat exchanger plates are designed to have the option to be assembled as modules of larger processing units.

A microreactor system includes: a microreactor that has two inflow ports into which fluids are introduced and a flow path configured to merge the fluids, and that is configured to mix a first fluid introduced from one of the inflow ports and a second fluid introduced from the other of the inflow ports in the flow path; a first container in which the first fluid is prepared; a second container in which the second fluid is prepared; a first pump configured to feed the first fluid toward the inflow port; a second pump configured to feed the second fluid toward the inflow port; first and second measurement units configured to measure amounts of the first fluid and the second fluid, respectively; and switching units configured to switch at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid to be fed to the microreactor.

The present application concerns a microfluidic cassette for synthesizing a radiotracer including a microfluidic circuit in a support card that includes at least one intake for supply by a vial, at least one isotope port, at least one reaction chamber, at least one mixing chamber, at least one formulation chamber, and at least one connection for a syringe, linked together by capillaries. Also disclosed is a method for synthesizing a radiotracer in such a cassette.

The present invention relates to a microfluidic reactor for controlling a chemical reaction and a chemical reaction control method using the same, and more specifically provides a microfluidic reactor capable of controlling a chemical reaction on an expanded scale and a microfluidic reaction device including the same. In addition, the present invention provides an ultrafast synthesis method for controlling unstable intermediates using the microfluidic reactor and microfluidic reaction device.

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.

The present invention concerns the field of microreaction devices and of micro-process engineering. It particularly involves devices having micro-channels (internal chambers of micrometric to submicrometric dimensions) for conveying chemical or biochemical mixtures and/or reactions. More specifically, such devices are optimized to achieve high temperature and pressure stresses (i.e. 500° C. and 500 bar). For observation and analysis purposes, the microreaction devices have a wide range of transparency in terms of wavelengths. The subject matter of the present invention relates to a microfluid or microreactor device made of transparent sapphire, preferably in the wavelength range of 150 to 6500 nm, its manufacturing method and to its use.

A channel assembly is disclosed, which may comprise a microfluidic channel. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed as are detectors and detector components which may comprise such a channel assembly. An example is a detection apparatus comprising: a detector for detecting a substance of interest; and a pneumatic system comprising a microfluidic channel assembly comprising a first microfluidic channel for dispensing vapour to the detector, wherein the first microfluidic channel comprises a groove in a surface of a polymer body and a wall of the first channel is provided by a film bonded to the surface of the body over the groove.