Method and apparatus for reacting fluids

Abstract

A reactor and a method of reacting a fluid are provided. The reactor comprises a chamber having an inlet and an outlet to receive and to output a fluid, respectively. A partition with a plurality of perforations is provided in the chamber to separate the fluid into fluid segments. A conductor coupled to the chamber generates a capacitance between the conductor and the partition to vibrate the partition.

1 . A reactor, comprising: 
 a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said inlet is to receive a fluid and said outlet is to output said fluid;    a partition housed in said chamber, wherein said partition includes a plurality of perforations to segment said fluid; and    a conductor coupled to said chamber; wherein said conductor is to generate a capacitance between said conductor and said partition to vibrate said partition.    
     
     
         2 . The reactor as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said partition and said conductor are coupled to a power source and wherein said capacitance is variable.  
     
     
         3 . The reactor as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a support coupled to said conductor, wherein said support is to prevent said conductor from vibrating.  
     
     
         4 . The reactor as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said partition is insulated to prevent an electrical disruption in the fluid.  
     
     
         5 . The reactor as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said conductor is insulated to prevent an electrical disruption to said reactor.  
     
     
         6 . The reactor as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said partition is configured to follow a vibrational pattern to prevent a back flow of said fluid.  
     
     
         7 . The reactor as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said perforations have a diameter of about ten times a diameter of one of a group consisting of a molecule and cell in said fluid.  
     
     
         8 . The reactor as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said inlet includes a plurality of openings to allow said fluid to enter said chamber in a plurality of layered streams.  
     
     
         9 . The reactor as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a heat exchange channel formed in said support, wherein said heat exchange channel is to receive a flow of coolant to remove heat from said chamber.  
     
     
         10 . The reactor as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a sensor provided in said support to measure a temperature of said fluid in said chamber.  
     
     
         11 . The reactor as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a sensor to measure a pressure in said chamber.  
     
     
         12 . A method of reacting a fluid comprising: 
 receiving the fluid in a chamber;    separating said fluid into a plurality of fluid segments,    vibrating said fluid, wherein said separating and said vibrating lower a diffusion distance of said fluid; and    outputting said fluid from said chamber.    
     
     
         13 . The method of reacting as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said fluid is separated when said fluid flows through a partition having a plurality of perforations.  
     
     
         14 . The method of reacting as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said vibrating comprises: 
 providing a conductor coupled to said chamber; and    generating a capacitance between said conductor and said partition.    
     
     
         15 . The method of reacting as recited in  claim 14 , wherein said fluid is received in layered streams.  
     
     
         16 . The method of reacting as recited in  claim 15 , wherein each of said plurality of perforations is about ten times said diameter of one of a group consisting of a molecule and cell in said fluid.  
     
     
         17 . The method of reacting as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising removing heat from said chamber.  
     
     
         18 . The method of reacting as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said removing comprises: 
 providing a heat exchange channel coupled to said chamber; and    receiving a flow of coolant into said heat exchange channel.