Patent ID: 9134079
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: B01J,B01L,F28F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of conducting a unit operation in a microchannel device, comprising: passing a fluid into a manifold inlet of a microchannel device, comprising: parallel connecting channels; and a hydrodynamic dimensionless length, wherein flow through the flow straightener is laminar flow and wherein the hydrodynamic dimensionless length is 0.005 or greater, where hydrodynamic dimensionless length is: where L st =length of the flow straightener; Re st =Reynolds number of fluid flowing in the flow straightener; and D st =hydraulic diameter of the flow straightener; and a flow distribution section connecting the flow straightener and parallel connecting channels, wherein the flow straightener comprises a first cross-sectional area and the flow distribution section comprises a second cross-sectional area, and wherein the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area; wherein at least a portion of the fluid passes from the manifold, through the flow straightener, into the flow distribution section, and then into the parallel connecting channels; wherein the fluid has a first velocity in the flow straightener and a second velocity in the flow distribution section, wherein the first velocity is greater than the second velocity; and conducting a unit operation on the fluid in the parallel connecting channels.