GIS-EE Electron Source Reactor for Corrosion-Free Fluid Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical reactors face challenges with electrode corrosion and mass transfer limitations, and the use of high temperatures and catalysts in chemical reactions, which limits their efficiency and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A reactor design that separates the electron emission surface from the fluid interface using a gate-insulator-substrate electron-emission structure (GIS-EE), allowing electrons to be injected into the fluid at a distant location, reducing electrode corrosion and mass transfer limitations, and enabling chemical reactions without the need for external electric fields or catalysts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrochemical reactions are performed at electrode interfaces, then charge transfer occurs to initiate chemical reactions, but electrode corrosion and mass transfer limitations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the electron emission function from the fluid contact surface by dividing the system into distinct components: an electron source (emitter) and a fluid interface. This segmentation allows electrons to be generated at a remote location and transported to the fluid without the emitting surface being exposed to corrosive conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable electron emission and preventing electrode corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (electron transport through vacuum, gas, or solid medium) that connects the electron source to the fluid interface without direct contact between the emitting surface and the fluid. This intermediary allows charge transfer to occur while protecting the electron source from corrosion and eliminating mass transfer limitations at the electrode surface.
2Productivity
If high overpotential is applied to increase reaction rates, then faster chemical reactions occur, but electrode erosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the high-field electron emission region from the fluid contact region, the system can apply high overpotential at the electron source to generate intense electron flux for fast reactions, while the fluid interface experiences no electrode material loss since no consumable electrode is present. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between achieving high productivity and minimizing substance loss.
3Productivity
If electrons are emitted directly into the fluid, then charge transfer initiates reactions, but mass transfer limitations occur at the electrode surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses an intermediary electron transport mechanism that delivers electrons directly to the fluid bulk or near-surface regions without requiring diffusion through the electrical double layer. This intermediary approach maintains high reaction initiation efficiency while eliminating mass transfer limitations that constrain conventional electrode-based systems.
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
This design enhances reaction rates, reduces electrode erosion, and allows for more energy-efficient chemical processing, including the dissociation of CO2 and synthesis of ammonia, while using a wider range of solvents and operating conditions, thus improving the longevity and efficiency of chemical reactions.
Implementation Method 1
The electron source is configured to provide the electrons to be injected into the fluid in an interior of the electron source and distant from the fluid, wherein the electron source is configured to provide the electrons by field emission, thermionic emission, photo emission, or any combination thereof
Implementation Method 2
The electron source is configured to provide the electrons by field emission, thermionic emission, photo emission, or any combination thereof
Implementation Method 3
The electron source is configured to provide the electrons by field emission, thermionic emission, photo emission, or any combination thereof
Implementation Method 4
the injected electrons are to initiate or enhance a reaction rate of at least one chemical reaction in the fluid
Implementation Method 5
The injected electrons are to initiate or enhance chemical reactions in the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a reactor includes an electron source having a first gate-insulator-substrate electron-emission structure (GIS-EE) and configured to inject electrons into a fluid and a transportation system for the fluid configured to adjust a velocity of the fluid when passing the electron source, wherein the electron source is configured to provide the electrons to be injected into the fluid in an interior of the electron source and distant from the fluid, wherein the injected electrons are to initiate at least one chemical reaction in the fluid, wherein, when reaching the fluid, at least part of the injected electrons has a kinetic energy of at most 50 eV, wherein the electrons are propagatable only in solid matter from the interior until emission into the fluid, and wherein the GIS-EE includes an electrically conductive substrate, a transfer layer of a material with a band gap of at least 4 eV on the substrate, a gate electrode of a further electrically conductive material directly on the transfer layer, a first electrical connection structure on the substrate, and a second electrical connection structure on the gate electrode.