Plasmonic Photocatalytic Reactor Cells With Light and Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reactor systems for plasmonic photocatalytic chemical reactions are energy intensive and lack efficiency improvements.
Innovation Solution
The development of reactor systems with innovative light and thermal management features to enhance energy efficiency, utilizing optically transparent reactor cells with plasmonic photocatalysts and catalyst supports, and incorporating features like solar concentrators and reflective surfaces to optimize light and heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional catalytic processes utilizing transition metal nanoparticles are used, then catalytic activity can be achieved, but energy consumption increases due to reliance on high temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal catalysis with photocatalysis, substituting mechanical/thermal energy input (heat and pressure) with optical energy input (light). The reactor system uses light sources to activate photocatalytic materials, eliminating the need for high temperature and pressure conditions while maintaining catalytic activity for chemical transformations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy input parameter from thermal (temperature) and mechanical (pressure) to optical (light wavelength and intensity). By adjusting light parameters such as wavelength selection and intensity control, the system achieves catalytic activity without requiring high temperature and pressure, thereby reducing energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If transparent reactor cells with light sources are used for photocatalysis, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to additional light management components
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor cell is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the reaction vessel, the light window, and the thermal management interface. The transparent enclosure allows light transmission while maintaining reaction conditions, and the integrated design combines catalysis, light absorption, and heat management in a single unit, reducing overall system complexity despite adding photocatalytic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary energy carrier to activate the catalytic process. Instead of directly applying thermal energy, the system uses light as a mediator that transfers energy to the photocatalytic material, enabling selective and efficient energy transfer without requiring complex thermal control systems.
3Productivity
If light intensity is increased to enhance photocatalytic reaction rate, then productivity improves, but thermal management challenges increase due to heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of excess heat generation into a beneficial thermal management opportunity. The reactor cell incorporates thermal management features that utilize the heat generated during photocatalysis to maintain optimal reaction temperatures, improving overall energy efficiency while controlling temperature to prevent unwanted side reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts light intensity and wavelength parameters to optimize the balance between reaction rate and heat generation. By controlling these optical parameters, the system achieves high productivity while managing thermal effects, preventing temperature runaway and maintaining stable reaction conditions.
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
Improves energy efficiency and reduces energy consumption in plasmonic photocatalytic processes by optimizing light and thermal management, enhancing the transformation of reactants into reformates.
Implementation Method 1
The reactor cell is configured to transform the reactant into the reformate when at least one light source is applied. The at least one reactor cell comprises an enclosure and a plasmonic photocatalyst on a catalyst support disposed within the at least one enclosure.
Implementation Method 2
incorporating features like solar concentrators and reflective surfaces to optimize light and heat management
Implementation Method 3
incorporating features like solar concentrators and reflective surfaces to optimize light and heat management
Implementation Method 4
at least one light-management feature and/or at least one thermal-management feature is applied to the reactor cell, reactor system, or a reformer system comprising many reactor systems, in order to improve efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to reactor systems that include (a) a housing having an interior surface that may be at least partially reflective, (b) at least one reactor cell disposed within an interior of the housing, the at least one reactor cell including an enclosure and a plasmonic photocatalyst on a catalyst support disposed within the at least one enclosure, where the enclosure is optically transparent and includes at least one inlet for a reactant to enter the at least one cell and at least one outlet for a reformate to exit the at least one cell and (c) at least one light source disposed within the interior of the housing and/or external to the housing. At least one light-management feature and/or at least one thermal-management feature is applied to the reactor cell, reactor system, or a reformer system comprising many reactor systems, in order to improve efficiency.