System for high pressure, high shear processing of fluids

A method of high pressure, high shear processing of a fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing at least one isolator for selectively containing and discharging a second fluid, the at least one isolator further including
• an isolator wall defining a chamber,
• a separator positioned in the chamber and movable between a first end of the chamber and a second end of the chamber, the separator engaging the isolator wall to further divide the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber that are in pressure communication with each other but are not in fluid communication with each other,
• a first sub-chamber inlet valve in fluid communication with an ultrahigh pressure pump and the first sub-chamber,
• a first sub-chamber outlet valve in fluid communication with the first sub-chamber,
• a first check valve in fluid communication with the second sub-chamber to allow fluid to enter the second sub-chamber, and
• a second check valve in fluid communication with the second sub-chamber to exhaust fluid from the second sub-chamber;
• providing a processing unit in fluid communication with the second check valve of the at least one isolator;
• alternately directing a first fluid at a pressure of at least 20,000 psi into the first sub-chamber and directing the second fluid into the second sub-chamber, wherein directing the first fluid into the first sub-chamber causes the second fluid to be discharged from the second sub-chamber, through the second check valve, and through the processing unit;
• and
• controlling a temperature of the second fluid when it is in a manifold that is in fluid communication with the second check valve.