Apparatus and method for the photopromoted catalyzed degradation of compounds in a fluid stream
First Claim
1. A reactor for use in the photopromoted catalyzed degradation of compounds in a fluid stream, comprising:
- a light source;
a conduit for directing said fluid stream into optical proximity to the light source, said conduit defining a reaction chamber;
a solid catalyst; and
a structure for supporting the catalyst in a predetermined spatial distribution within said reaction chamber and in contact with said fluid stream so that light from the light source illuminates the catalyst at an intensity within a preselected range for degradation of said compounds;
said catalyst having a surface concentration on said supporting structure which increases with distance from the light source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a reactor and process for the photopromoted catalytic decomposition of compounds in a fluid stream, the area of a catalyst support structure and/or the amount of catalyst on the support structure is varied as a function of distance from a light source to enhance quantum efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure has a surface area per unit of reaction chamber volume which increases with distance from the light source, or the amount of catalyst on the support structure per unit area increases with distance from the light source to maintain the light intensity on the catalyst within a desired range regardless of dispersion and/or absorption effects. In another embodiment, the support structure includes a plurality of curved plates which may, for example, be spherical, cylindrical or helical.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A reactor for use in the photopromoted catalyzed degradation of compounds in a fluid stream, comprising:
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a light source; a conduit for directing said fluid stream into optical proximity to the light source, said conduit defining a reaction chamber; a solid catalyst; and a structure for supporting the catalyst in a predetermined spatial distribution within said reaction chamber and in contact with said fluid stream so that light from the light source illuminates the catalyst at an intensity within a preselected range for degradation of said compounds; said catalyst having a surface concentration on said supporting structure which increases with distance from the light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A reactor for use in the photopromoted catalyzed degradation of compounds in a fluid stream, comprising:
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a light source; a conduit for directing said fluid stream into optical proximity to the light source, said conduit defining a reaction chamber; means for producing turbulent flow within said reaction chamber; a solid catalyst; and a structure for supporting the catalyst in a predetermined spatial distribution within said reaction chamber and in contact with said fluid stream so that light from the light source illuminates the catalyst at an intensity within preselected range for degradation of said compounds; said catalyst having a surface concentration on said a supporting structure which increases with distance from the light source.
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17. A method of fabricating a reactor for use in the photopromoted catalyzed degradation of compounds in a fluid stream, comprising:
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providing a light source; providing at least one conduit to direct said fluid stream into optical proximity to the light source, said conduit defining a reaction chamber; disposing a solid catalyst on a supporting structure within said reaction chamber in contact with said fluid stream, at a surface concentration which increases with distance from the light source so that light from the light source illuminates the catalyst at an intensity within a preselected range for degradation of said compounds. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification