Reactor process using metal oxide ceramic membranes
US5308454A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 3, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S204/03
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A reaction vessel for use in photoelectrochemical reactions includes as its reactive surface a metal oxide porous ceramic membrane of a catalytic metal such as titanium. The reaction vessel includes a light source and a counter electrode. A provision for applying an electrical bias between the membrane and the counter electrode permits the Fermi levels of potential reaction to be favored so that certain reactions may be favored in the vessel. The electrical biasing is also useful for the cleaning of the catalytic membrane. Also disclosed is a method regenerating a porous metal oxide ceramic membrane used in a photoelectrochemical catalytic process by periodically removing the reactants and regenerating the membrane using a variety of chemical, thermal, and electrical techniques.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.