Patent ID: 7297324

Claim:
A method of operating a microreactor comprising: providing a fluid processing device comprising a stack of sheets integrally bonded, the stack including alternating recessed sheets which define at least a portion of first and second flow paths; wherein the first flow path includes a reaction microchamber including catalyst material and having an inlet and an outlet thereto within the stack, wherein the catalyst material is a exothermic reaction catalyst, and wherein the second flow path is in thermal contact with the reaction microchamber; passing a first fluid through the reaction microchamber wherein the first fluid interacts with the catalyst material to undergo a reversible, exothermic chemical process in the reaction microchamber; and transferring a sufficient quantity of heat from the exothermic chemical process to a fluid flowing through the second flow path to cause the temperature of the first fluid to be lower at the outlet than at the inlet thereby increasing at least one performance parameter of the exothermic chemical process relative to performance of the exothermic chemical process if the temperature of the reactants had been constant, wherein the temperature of the first fluid is at least about 25° C. lower at the outlet than at the inlet.