Patent · US Expired

Method of and apparatus for manufacturing methanol

US6328854A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
2References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 2000
Grant dateDec 11, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 10, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P20/52
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A porous tube is positioned coaxially around and in axial alignment with a tubular lamp forming an annulus therebetween. Methane is directed through the porous tube and forms submicron size bubbles in a liquid flowing through the annulus. Energy from the tubular lamp generates hydroxyl radicals in the liquid which combine with the methane to form methanol. Photocatalytic material may be provided in the annulus either in the form of a layer of photocatalytic material formed on the interior surface of the porous tube or in the form of particles of photocatalytic material circulating through the annulus with the flowing liquid. A heat transfer apparatus may be provided in the annulus for removing heat generated by operation of the lamp.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.