| abstract |
The disclosed invention relates to a process for treating or making an emulsion in a microchannel. Microchannel repeating unit (200) comprises process microchannel (210) apertured section (240) and liquid channel (270). Process microchannel (210) has opposite sidewalls (212) and (214). Apertured section (240) is in sidewall (212). The apertured section (240) may be referred to as a porous section or porous substrate. The apertured section (240) may comprise a sheet or plate (242) having a plurality of apertures (244) extending through it. The liquid channel (270) opens to process microchannel (210) through apertured section (240). The liquid channel (270) is a flow-through channel with an outlet indicated at arrow (275). The process microchannel (210) has mixing zone (216), and may have non-apertured regions (not shown in the drawings) upstream and/or downstream from mixing zone (216). The mixing zone (216) is adjacent to the apertured section (240). In one embodiment, the mixing zone (216) may have a restricted cross section to enhance mixing. In operation, the first liquid flows into process microchannel (210), as indicated by directional arrow (218), and into the mixing zone (216). A second liquid flows into liquid channel (270), as indicated by arrow (272), and then flows through apertured section (240), as indicated by arrows (274), into the mixing zone (216). In mixing zone (216), the second liquid contacts and mixes with the first liquid to form an émulsion. Heating or cooling may be optional. |