Enhanced photocatalytic conversion of methane to methanol using a porous semiconductor membrane
First Claim
1. A process comprising the steps of:
- providing methane over a photocatalyst disposed on a first surface of a porous substrate having pores extending therethrough to a second surface;
providing a reactant to the second surface and through the pores of the substrate into contact with the photocatalyst on the first surface; and
directing light onto the photocatalyst, wherein the light is selected from visible light, ultraviolet light and mixtures thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the conversion of methane in solution or gas provides photochemical conversion in a unique two-phase or three-phase boundary system formed in each pore of a semiconductor membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In a three-phase system, gaseous oxidant, methane contained in a liquid, and solid semiconductor photocatalyst having a metal catalyst disposed thereon meet and engage in an efficient conversion reaction. The porous membrane has pores which have a region wherein the meniscus of the liquid varies from the molecular diameter of water to that of a capillary tube resulting in a diffusion layer that is several orders of magnitude smaller than the closest known reactors.
48 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A process comprising the steps of:
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providing methane over a photocatalyst disposed on a first surface of a porous substrate having pores extending therethrough to a second surface; providing a reactant to the second surface and through the pores of the substrate into contact with the photocatalyst on the first surface; and directing light onto the photocatalyst, wherein the light is selected from visible light, ultraviolet light and mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 40, 41)
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19. A process, comprising the steps of:
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providing methane over a photocatalyst having pores therethrough, wherein the photocatalyst has a metal catalyst disposed thereon; providing a reactant through the pores into contact with the photocatalyst; and directing light onto the photocatalyst, wherein the light is selected from visible light, ultraviolet light and mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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42. A process comprising the steps of:
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providing a reactant over a photocatalyst disposed on a first surface of a porous substrate having pores extending therethrough to a second surface; providing methane to the second surface and through the pores of the substrate into contact with the photocatalyst on the first surface; and directing light onto the photocatalyst, wherein the light is selected from visible light, ultraviolet light and mixtures thereof. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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Specification