Enhanced photocatalytic conversion of methane to methanol using a porous semiconductor membrane

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors GONZALEZ-MARTIN; ANUNCIA, MURPHY; OLIVER J
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 05.12.2000
Edition7
Subjects
CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOIDCHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
COMPOUNDS THEREOF
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
METALLURGY
NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS
PERFORMING OPERATIONS
PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
SEPARATION
THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
TRANSPORTING
TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
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Summary: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.
Bibliography:Application Number: US19980115040