Supported Catalyst Particles for Smoke CO Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cigarettes produce significant amounts of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide in mainstream smoke, which are harmful constituents that existing technologies have not effectively reduced.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating supported catalyst particles, such as nanoscale iron oxide on graphitic carbon or partially reduced oxides, into tobacco cut filler, cigarette paper, or filters to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and nitric oxide to nitrogen, thereby reducing their concentrations in smoke.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cigarette materials are used, then the cigarette structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but carbon monoxide and nitric oxide levels in smoke remain high and harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cigarette by incorporating supported catalyst particles containing noble metals (platinum, palladium, rhodium, or iridium) at concentrations of 0.1-10 wt%. These catalyst particles fundamentally alter the chemical reactions during combustion, enabling CO oxidation and NO reduction that conventional materials cannot achieve, thus reducing harmful emissions while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining supported catalyst particles (noble metals on alumina, silica, or titania supports) with conventional cigarette materials (tobacco, paper, filter). This composite structure integrates the catalytic functionality into the existing cigarette architecture, achieving harmful gas reduction without requiring complete structural redesign
2Productivity
If catalyst particles are incorporated into cigarette components, then carbon monoxide conversion to carbon dioxide is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synthesizing and characterizing the supported catalyst particles before incorporation into cigarette components. The catalyst particles are prepared with controlled noble metal loading (0.1-10 wt%) and supported on predetermined substrates (alumina, silica, titania), allowing them to be handled as ready-to-use additives that simplify rather than complicate the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The supported catalyst particles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they catalyze CO oxidation to CO2, catalyze NO reduction to N2, and can be incorporated into various cigarette components (tobacco, paper, or filter). This multi-functionality allows a single additive solution to address multiple harmful emissions across different cigarette structures
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 supported catalyst particles effectively reduce the levels of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide in mainstream smoke by up to 50% during smoking, improving air quality and health outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
catalyst particles supported in and/or on electrically conductive support particles of graphitic carbon or a partially reduced oxide
Implementation Method 2
conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
catalyst particles supported in and/or on electrically conductive support particles of graphitic carbon or a partially reduced oxide
Implementation Method 4
conversion of nitric oxide to nitrogen
Data Source
AI summary
A method for oxidizing carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide is provided which utilizes specific supported catalyst particles. The supported catalyst comprises catalyst particles that are supported on particles of an electrically conductive support selected from the group consisting of graphitic carbon and a partially reduced oxide of a transition metal of the Magnéli phase selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, and mixtures thereof.