Embedded Heating Catalyst Composition for Efficient Microwave Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing catalytic solids, such as zeolites, have low microwave and induction absorbing capacity, limiting their effectiveness in industrial reactions, and simply mixing heating and catalytic phases results in inefficient heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a heating phase, such as silicon carbide nanoparticles, within the catalytic phase by synthesizing zeolite crystals in the presence of SiC nanoparticles, creating a composite material with enhanced heat transfer and catalytic activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If heating materials and catalytic materials are simply mixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat transfer effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidheat transfer effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heating phase and catalytic phase into a single integrated composite material where heating particles are embedded within the catalytic matrix. This combination ensures intimate contact between the two phases, enabling efficient heat transfer while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The composite material acts as a unified catalyst that performs both heating and catalysis functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating particles are nested within the catalytic phase matrix, creating a core-shell like structure where the heating material is embedded inside the catalytic material. This nesting arrangement maximizes the contact surface area between heating and catalytic phases, ensuring effective heat transfer from the heating particles to the surrounding catalytic material and reactants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If catalytic solids with low MW and induction absorbing capacity are used, then the material selection is simplified, but the reaction acceleration capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial selection flexibilityVSAvoidreaction acceleration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material combining catalytic solids (such as zeolites, metal oxides, or carbon-based catalysts) with microwave and induction absorbing materials (such as SiC, Fe3O4, or carbon nanotubes). This composite structure allows the catalyst to maintain its inherent catalytic properties while gaining enhanced microwave and induction absorbing capabilities, thereby enabling effective use in modern heating-assisted catalytic reactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If high MW and induction absorbing additives are mixed with solid catalysts, then the heating effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidcontact uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heating function into discrete particles that are distributed throughout the catalytic matrix. By using small-sized heating particles (nanoparticles or fine powders), the system achieves uniform distribution and intimate contact with the catalytic material, ensuring consistent heating throughout the catalyst bed while maintaining good flow and packing characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes parameters such as particle size, surface area, and concentration of heating additives to achieve uniform distribution within the catalytic material. By controlling these parameters, the system achieves both effective heating and consistent manufacturing quality, avoiding aggregation and ensuring homogeneous heat distribution throughout the catalyst.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The embedded heating phase significantly improves catalytic activity and reduces energy consumption, demonstrating a 2.2-fold increase in catalytic activity and 60% less energy input under microwave heating compared to physical mixtures.

Implementation Method 1

heating, particularly microwave (MW) and induction heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

high MW and induction absorbing capacities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

heating, particularly microwave (MW) and induction heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 4

Intimate contact between the two phases is required as this contact largely determines the effectiveness of the additive in heating the catalytic phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4663291A1Hybrid composition comprising a catalytic phase and an embedded heating phase
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 UNIV DE ALICANTE
  • EP4663291A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4663291A1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP4663291A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2f

AI summary

The present invention relates to a catalytic composition comprising a catalytic phase and a heating phase, wherein the heating phase is embedded within the catalytic phase. The invention also refers to a method for the preparation of the catalytic composition, wherein the catalytic phase is synthesised in the presence of the heating phase such that the heating phase is embedded within the catalytic phase. Finally, the invention relates to uses of the catalytic composition as a catalyst in a chemical reaction, as an adsorbent in drying, purification or separation processes, or as an ion exchanger.