Velocys Corp.

Celanese International Corporation

Velocys Technologies Limited

Kai Jarosch

Anna Lee Tonkovich

Sean P Fitzgerald

David John Hesse

Laura J Silva

Terry Joseph Mazanec

Bin Yang

Thomas D Yuschak

Ravi Arora

Matthew B Schmidt

Dongming Qiu

John H Brophy

Francis P Daly

Fred A Pesa

Victor J Johnston

Steven T Perry

Richard Q Long

G Bradley Chadwell

Leslie E Wade

Soumitra R Deshmukh

Michael E Huckman

Wm Allen Rogers

James A Foster

Tony Hammock

Daniel Lindley

Robert J Luzenski

Rachid Taha

Maddalena Fanelli

Eric Daymo

David Kilanowski

Laura Richard

Heinz J Robota

Jeffrey J Ramler

Thomas Hickey

Jeffery D Slane

Daniele Leonarduzzi

Diarmid Roberts

Terry Manzanec

Harley D Freeman

Frederick A Zenz

William Allen Rogers

Dongming Qui (deceased)

Tim Sullivan

Jeffrey D Slane

The invention providing methods of loading and unloading particulate from microchannels in apparatus that contains multiple microchannels, typically apparatus that is designed to operate with hundreds or thousands of particulate-containing microchannels. Aligning a sonicating head at one end of a set of microchannels provides a particularly effective mode for densifying particulate in microchannels.

Loading/unloading of particulates to/from microchannel reactors

The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus in which one fluid passes through an orifice or orifices and mixes with another fluid as it flows through a microchannel.

In situ mixing in microchannels

Catalyst compositions, methods of making catalysts, and methods of conducting Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactions are described. It has been discovered that a combination of large crystallite size and high porosity results in catalysts and FT catalyst systems with high stability and low methane selectivity.

Cobalt-containing fischer-tropsch catalysts, methods of making, and methods of conducting fischer-tropsch synthesis

The invention provides methods, apparatus and systems in which there is partial boiling of a liquid in a mini-channel or microchannel. The partial boiling removes heat from an exothermic process.

Partial boiling in mini and micro-channels

Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.

Manifold designs, and flow control in multichannel microchannel devices

Methods for controlling series or series-parallel reactions are described. Novel microchannel apparatus having mesoporous structures adjacent to bulk flow paths are described. Methods of synthesizing formaldehyde from methanol are also described.

Microchannel apparatus comprising structured walls, chemical processes, methods of making formaldehyde

The proper sizing of microchannel dimensions and the management of internal features offer the possibility of inherently safe operation within the flammable limits of a combustible fluid stream while preserving the largest-possible flow dimensions for industrial-scale process capacity. Specifically, the microchannel dimensions need not be restricted to gap distances below the quenching distance to be operated safely. Microchannel performance can be engineered to provide adequate heat transfer for flame propagation. However, it is essential to maintain flame characteristics in such a manner that it cannot transition to a detonation flame front. A detonation takes place when the combustion wave propagates at supersonic speeds at the existing local temperature and pressure conditions in the system. It results in a much larger energy release over a much smaller period of time as compared to a laminar flame or deflagration, the later of which is a combustion wave propagating at subsonic speed. Detonations can be potentially highly destructive and very hazardous and therefore should be avoided for most industrial applications.

Detonation safety in microchannels

The invention provides systems and methods for conducting reactions in which a reactant contacts a tethered catalyst and/or tethered chiral auxiliary in a microchannel and is converted to product.

Tethered catalyst processes in microchannel reactors and systems containing a tethered catalyst or tethered chiral auxiliary

This invention relates to microchannel apparatus that includes microchannels with interior surface features for modifying flow; processes utilizing this microchannel architecture, and methods of making apparatus having these features.

Surface features in microprocess technology

Methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) is provided wherein conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo&#x2014;V&#x2014;Mg&#x2014;O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.

Catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation, and microchannel reactors for catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation

The invention provides methods, apparatus and chemical systems for making vinyl acetate from ethylene, oxygen, and acetic acid.

Process and apparatus for improved methods for making vinyl acetate monomer (VAM)

This invention describes gas-solid, liquid-solid and gas-solid-liquid processes in microchannels devices including such processes as heterogeneous catalysis, particle formation, particle attrition, particle separation and adsorption or desorption of selected species. Various processes can be enhanced by the unique properties of microchannels such as the predominance of laminar flow, high rates of shear, high rates of heat transfer and high rates of mass transfer. Also encompassed by this invention are methods for the introduction to and removal from microchannels of particle containing fluid streams.

Fluidization and solids processing in microchannel devices

Growing community of inventors

Bexley, OH, United States of America

Kai Jarosch