INTEGRATED MICROCHANNEL SYNTHESIS AND SEPARATION

摘要

A process for carrying out at least two unit operations in series, the pr ocess comprising the step of: (a) directing a feed stream into an integrated assembly which comprises a first microchannel unit operation upon at least one chemical of the feed stream to generate a distributed output stream that exits the first microchannel unit operation in a first set of discrete micr ochannels isolating flow through the discrete microchannels; and (b) directi ng the distributed output stream of the first microchannel unit operation in to a second microchannel unit operation as a distributed input stream, to co ntinue isolating flow between the first set of discrete microchannels, and c onducting at least one operation upon at least one chemical of the input str eam to generate a product stream that exits the second microchannel unit ope ration, where the first microchannel unit operation and the second unit oper ation share a housing.