Fluid flow conduit with controlled hydrodynamics

A flow-through reactor for fluid, the flow-through reactor comprising:

• a fluid flow conduit comprising a conduit body shaped to define a longitudinally oriented interior flow region which provides a reaction chamber for the flow-through reactor;
• an inlet for introducing fluid into the interior flow region;
• an outlet for conveying fluid out of the interior flow region;
• and
• a flow-shaping element located in a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, the flow-shaping element comprising a flow-shaping channel shaped to provide a first curved channel portion that is curved about a longitudinal axis in a first angular direction;
• wherein the first curved channel portion is shaped to impart angular momentum about the longitudinal axis in the first angular direction on fluid flow through the first curved channel portion;
• and
• wherein the flow-shaping channel is shaped to provide a second curved channel portion that is curved about the longitudinal axis in a second angular direction, the second angular direction opposed to the first angular direction, wherein the second curved channel portion is shaped to impart angular momentum about the longitudinal axis in the second angular direction on fluid flow through the second curved channel portion.

A method for controlling a velocity distribution of fluid flowing through a fluid flow conduit, the method comprising:

• introducing fluid via an inlet into a longitudinally oriented interior flow region of the fluid flow conduit;
• flowing the fluid through the interior flow region;
• flowing the fluid through a flow-shaping element located in a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, the flow-shaping element comprising a flow-shaping channel providing a first curved channel portion that is curved about a longitudinal axis in a first angular direction to thereby impart angular momentum about the longitudinal axis in the first angular direction on fluid flow through the first curved channel portion;
• conveying the fluid out of the interior flow region via an outlet;
• and
• flowing the fluid through a second curved channel portion that is curved about the longitudinal axis in a second angular direction, the second angular direction opposed to the first angular direction to thereby impart angular momentum about the longitudinal axis in the second angular direction on fluid flow through the second curved channel portion.