Microchannel Apparatus and Methods of Conducting Unit Operations With Disrupted Flow
AssigneeVelocys, Inc.
InventorsRavi Arora, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Dongming Qui, Laura J. Silva
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention described herein concerns microchannel apparatus that contains, within the same device, at least one manifold and multiple connecting microchannels that connect with the manifold. For superior heat or mass flux in the device, the volume of the connecting microchannels should exceed the volume of manifold or manifolds. Methods of conducting unit operations in microchannel devices having simultaneous disrupted and non-disrupted flow through microchannels is also described.
Claims21
A method of conducting a unit operation in an integrated microchannel apparatus, comprising:
- passing a fluid in an apparatus;
- wherein the apparatus comprises a manifold connected to plural connecting microchannels;
- wherein the manifold's volume is less than the volume of the plural connecting microchannels;
- wherein the manifold's length is at least 15 cm or wherein there are at least 100 connecting channels connected to the manifold;
- controlling conditions such that the fluid is in disrupted flow through at least a portion of the connecting microchannels;
- and
- conducting a unit operation on the fluid in the connecting microchannels.
16-21. (canceled)
A method of conducting a unit operation in an integrated microchannel apparatus, comprising:
- passing a fluid in an apparatus;
- wherein the apparatus comprises a manifold connected to plural connecting microchannels;
- wherein the manifold's volume is less than the volume of the plural connecting microchannels;
- controlling conditions such that the fluid is in disrupted flow substantially through at least some the plural connecting microchannels and controlling conditions such that the fluid is in non-disrupted flow substantially through at least some other of the plural connecting microchannels;
- and
- conducting a unit operation on the fluid in the connecting microchannels that are in disrupted flow and conducting a unit operation on the fluid in the connecting microchannels that are in non-disrupted flow.
26-37. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.