EP2024078A2 — Process for treating and/or forming a non-newtonian fluid using microchannel process technology

USPTO Abstract

The disclosed invention relates to a process, comprising: conducting unit operations in at least two process zones in a process micro channel to treat and/or form a non-Newtonian fluid, a different unit operation being conducted in each process zone; and applying an effective amount of shear stress to the non-Newtonian fluid to reduce the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid in each process zone, the average shear rate in one process zone differing from the average shear rate in another process zone by a factor of at least about 1.2. The shear stress may be applied to the non-Newtonian fluid by flowing it through a microchannel having a converging cross-sectional area. The shear stress may also be applied by flowing the said fluid in contact with microchannel surface features, structures, obstructions or coatings.