Supported molten-metal catalysts
US6218326A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C2523/755
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An entirely new class of catalysts called supported molten-metal catalysts, SMMC, which can replace some of the existing precious metal catalysts used in the production of fuels, commodity chemicals, and fine chemicals, as well as in combating pollution. SMMC are based on supporting ultra-thin films or micro-droplets of the relatively low-melting (<600.degree. C.), inexpensive, and abundant metals and semimetals from groups 1, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, of the periodic table, or their alloys and intermetallic compounds, on porous refractory supports, much like supported microcrystallites of the traditional solid metal catalysts. It thus provides orders of magnitude higher surface area than is obtainable in conventional reactors containing molten metals in pool form and also avoids corrosion. These have so far been the chief stumbling blocks in the application of molten metal catalysts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.