Abstract:
The present invention involves a method of chemically removing a mobile atom from a mobile atom-containing reactant molecule. The method includes: (a) absorbing the mobile atom-containing reactant on one side of a solid, mobile atom transmissive membrane; (b) passing the mobile atom through the membrane to the opposite surface; (c) reacting the mobile atom; (d) desorbing the mobile atom depleted reactant molecule from the reaction side of the membrane. The mobile atom may be hydrogen and the method preferably involves controlling the flux of mobile atoms through the membrane to control the rate of removal of mobile atoms from the first reactant molecule. Electrically conductive, atom permeable, biasing means are used to control the surface potential, e.g. biasing means on the hydrogen removal reaction side as well as biasing means on the opposite side of the membrane. The reactor used in the method is another aspect of the present invention.
Abstract:
A microporous plug is provided which serves to seal a vessel so as to prevent the bulk flow of gases through an outlet. The pores of said microporous plug are sized so as to permit the transport of gases to and from the vessel interior by Knudsen diffusion. In preferred embodiments, the pores of the plug are sized so as to release helium from the interior of a vessel and restrict the transport of carbon dioxide into the vessel from the surrounding atmosphere by Knudsen diffusion. Such embodiments are particularly useful on Mars where the helium is transported into an environment of higher pressure. In other embodiments, the microporous plug is used in conjunction with an absorber positioned within the vessel to react with atmospheric gases that pass through the plug, such as carbon dioxide. Also provided are radioisotope thermoelectric generators that incorporate a microporous plug and optionally an absorber.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an annular gel reactor suitable for the production and observation of spatiotemporal patterns created during a chemical reaction. The apparatus comprises a vessel having at least a first and second chamber separated one from the other by an annular polymer gel layer (or other fine porous medium) which is inert to the materials to be reacted but capable of allowing diffusion of the chemicals into it.
Abstract:
A catalyst device comprises a porous catalytically active inorganic membrane, means for presenting a fluid reactant to a first surface of the membrane and means for recovering a fluid reaction product from the second surface of the membrane. The membrane is preferably an anodic aluminum oxide membrane with a deposit of catalytically active material present within the pores, preferably concentrated in the ends of the pores adjacent the second surface of the membrane.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a novel method for conducting phase transfer catalysis in a multiphase reaction system wherein the different phases are separated by a membrane permeable to the phase transfer catalyst and its various reaction complexes. The invention also relates to membranes and a membrane-containing apparatus useful in carrying out phase transfer catalysis.
Abstract:
Reagent is added to liquid chromatographic effluent to increase detection sensitivity of sample bands, or to enhance sensitivity with respect to interfering bands which overlap sample bands of interest, using one or more hollow fibers immersed within mobile reagent which is permeated through the walls of the fibers and, thus, ultimately diffused into the column effluent.
Abstract:
A process for the preparation of a high molecular weight polymer by a condensation process of a liquid reaction mixture wherein at least one volatile by-product is eliminated, characterized in that said condensation process is carried out in apparatus of such form and so operated that said reaction mixture being subjected to the condensation process has no free surface and removal of volatile product or products from said reaction mixture is effected by diffusion through at least a proportion of the wall of said apparatus which is permeable to said volatile product or products but not permeable to said reaction mixture or said polymer, said proportion of the wall which is permeable serving to separate said reaction mixture from a chemically inert gaseous fluid in which the partial pressure of the volatile byproduct, or of the volatile by-products, is continually maintained below the equilibrium partial pressure for the reaction mixture under the conditions of reaction.
Abstract:
Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.