Catalytic reaction rate enhancement at low temperatures
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsSunita Satyapal, Arthur S. Kesten, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, James Freihaut, Charles C. Evans
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Abstract
The present invention relates to sustaining high reaction rates at lower reaction temperatures than conventionally utilized with the particular catalyst. The improved reaction rates are obtained using various techniques and combinations thereof including simulated boiling, utilizing the reactant in the form of a thin film, employing microwaves, and the use of micromachines.
Claims17
A method for catalytically reacting a liquid isopropanol reactant, said reactant having a boiling point and a boiling point reaction rate, comprising the steps of:
- a. contacting the reactant and a catalyst;
- b. providing heat to catalytically activate the catalyst at a first temperature below the boiling point of the reactant;
- c. reacting the reactant to form at least one product;
- and
- d. simulating boiling in the reactant;
- whereby the reactant reacts at a reaction rate which is substantially equivalent to the boiling point reaction rate of said reactant.
A method for catalytically reacting a liquid isopropanol reactant, comprising the steps of:
- a. dispersing a thermally conductive catalyst in the liquid reactant, wherein said liquid reactant has an average bulk temperature;
- b. irradiating said dispersion with microwaves to heat said catalyst while substantially maintaining the average bulk temperature;
- and
- c. catalytically reacting said reactant to produce a product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.