PHOTOLYTIC GENERATION OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

• US 20090074611A1
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Inventors: Gilbert, Richard J., Monzyk, Bruce F.
• Application Number:
  US12/066,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20090074611A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/02 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/186 Peroxide solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/122 Chambers for sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0086 Processes carried out with a view to control or to change the pH-value; Applications of buffer salts; Neutralisation reactions
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/123 Ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 21/063 Titanium; Oxides or hydroxides thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0877 Liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0892 involving catalytically active material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/004 Photocatalysts
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/39 Photocatalytic properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 37/0215 Coating
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 37/033 Using Hydrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 15/027 Preparation from water
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/042 Decomposition of water
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/256 Coating containing TiO2
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/212 TiO2
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/71 Photocatalytic coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2218/113 by sol-gel processes
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2218/31 : Pre-treatment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 : Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 : Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator (10); the photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator converts water to activated oxygen for electrolyte absorption, regulates pH, removes hydrogen and other gases; the photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator includes a photolytic cell (16) where chemical reactions occur.

Claims

1. A photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator comprising:

a photolytic cell having a light activated catalyst, the light activated catalyst converts water to hydrogen peroxide;

an optional porous sealant layer disposed on the light activated catalyst and separating the light activated catalyst from a solution circulating thought the photolytic cell;

a light supply providing light to the photolytic cell and activating the light activated catalyst;

a pump circulating a solution through the photolytic cell;

an inlet, transporting the solution into the photolytic cell; and

an outlet transporting the solution out of the photolytic cell.

7. The photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator of claim 1, wherein the solution is an aqueous electrolyte.

2. A photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator comprising:

a photolytic cell having a light activated catalyst, the light activated catalyst converts water to hydrogen peroxide, and wherein the light activated catalyst comprises two layers, a first layer for capture of photons and charge separation and a second layer adjacent to the first layer for hydrogen peroxide production;

an optional porous sealant layer disposed on the second light activated catalyst layer and separating the second light activated catalyst from a solution circulating thought the photolytic cell;

a light supply providing light to the photolytic cell and activating the light activated catalyst;

a pump circulating a solution through the photolytic cell;

an inlet, transporting the solution into the photolytic cell; and

an outlet transporting the solution out of the photolytic cell.

3. The photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator of claim 2, wherein the photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator further comprises a gas separation device connected to the photolytic cell.

4. The photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator of claim 3, wherein the photolytic cell releases gas into the gas sorption device.

5. The photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator of claim 2, wherein the photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator further comprises a sensor monitoring reaction chemistry in the photolytic cell.

6. The photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator of claim 4, wherein the hydrogen peroxide generator further comprises a processor regulating the photolytic cell in response to the sensor.

8. The photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator of claim 2, wherein the photolytic cell converts water to dissolved activated oxygen.

9. The photolytic hydrogen peroxide generator of claim 8, wherein the dissolved activated oxygen converts to hydrogen peroxide.

10. A photolytic cell comprising:

a transparent window;

an anode conductor layer adjacent to the transparent window;

a light-activated catalyst disposed upon the anode conductor layer, wherein the light activated catalyst produces hydrogen peroxide;

an anolyte adjacent to and bordering the catalyst;

a divider bordering the anolyte to form a first volume,

a catholyte bordering the divider, and

a cathode bordering the catholyte to form a second volume.

11. The photolytic cell of claim 10, wherein the light-activated catalyst is a metal oxide catalyst.

12. The photolytic cell of claim 10, wherein the cell further comprises a second catalyst disposed on the light-activated catalyst.

13. The photolytic cell of claim 10, wherein the photolytic cell converts water into activated oxygen.

14. The photolytic cell of claim 10, wherein the light-activated catalyst converts water into activated oxygen.

15. The photolytic cell of claim 10, wherein electrons flow from the anode to the cathode.

16. A method for delivering activated oxygen to a solution comprising:

moving solution into a photolytic cell;

converting water into hydrogen peroxide by a light-activated catalyst in the photolytic cell;

binding the hydrogen peroxide to the solution; and

moving the solution out of the photolytic cell.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the solution is an electrolyte.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising removing gas from the solution in the photolytic cell.

19. A method for providing hydrogen peroxide to a treatment volume comprising:

moving an electrolyte into a photolytic cell;

converting water to hydrogen peroxide in the photolytic cell;

forming hydrogen in the photolytic cell; and

removing hydrogen formed in the photolytic cell and electrolyte; and

moving electrolyte out of the photolytic cell.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising removing reacted hydrogen peroxide product from a treatment volume.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising returning electrolyte containing hydrogen peroxide to a treatment volume.

22. A method for disinfecting a surface or volume comprising:

a. producing hydrogen peroxide by photolytic generation from water containing a buffer with light using a semiconductor material;

b. applying the produced hydrogen peroxide to a surface or volume.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the hydrogen peroxide is produced in the presence of a stabilizer.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the hydrogen peroxide is produced in the presence of a buffer.

25. An apparatus for producing hydrogen peroxide comprising:

a. a waveguide layer for conducting light;

b. a first conductor layer adjacent to the waveguide;

c. an active layer on the other side of the conductor and adjacent to the conductor;

d. a first volume having an inlet and an outlet bounded at least in part by the active layer;

e. a divider bounding at least a portion of the first volume;

f. a second volume on the opposite side of the divider from the first volume having an inlet and an outlet that is bounded at least in part by the divider

g. a second conductor layer bounding at least a portion of the second volume, wherein the second conductor does not come in contact with the divider; and

g. a disinfecting region having an inlet that is operationally connected to the outlet of the first volume.