CATALYTIC RESONANCE SIMULATOR

Abstract: The invention provides a catalytic resonance simulator device, for simulating the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst during a chemical reaction in a substance, the device comprising: container means for containing the substance; and frequency inducing means, in communication with the substance, for inducing within the substance a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst. The invention further comprises a method of catalytic resonance simulation, for simulating the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst during a chemical reaction in a substance, the method comprising inducing within the substance a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst.

Description: TITLE: CATALYTIC RESONANCE SIMULATOR TECHNICAL FIELD The invention is directed to a catalytic resonance simulator apparatus and method which simulates the natural nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst in a chemical reaction, and particularly in an electrolytic reaction. BACKGROUND OF THE ART Catalysts are used in many conventional chemical reactions frequently in the form of precious metals plated on metal anodes or cathodes, ceramic catalytic converter structures and the like. The catalysts are inert and are not consumed during the chemical reaction but their presence is required to carry out the reaction or enhance effectiveness. The disadvantage of using conventional catalysts is that the initial cost of such precious metals is very high, periodic cleaning or replacement is required to ensure maximum effectivity, and disposal involves catalyst reclaiming due to cost and possible heavy metal contamination. Minimal amounts of catalyst are used as a result. The effectiveness of the plated catalyst is not controllable. The natural nuclear magnetic resonance of the catalyst is relatively constant and therefore the catalyst can be considered as a passive influence on the chemical reaction. It is desirable therefore to simulate the presence of a catalyst in a chemical reaction to minimize the use of expensive materials and avoid the above disadvantages of their use. It is also desirable to control the effectiveness of such a simulation to exert an active influence in optimizing the chemical reaction. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a novel catalytic resonance simulator device, for simulating the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst during a chemical reaction in a substance, the device comprising: container means for containing the substance; and frequency inducing means, in communication with the substance, for inducing within the substance a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst. The invention further comprises a method of catalytic resonance simulation, for simulating the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst during a chemical reaction in a substance, the method comprising inducing within the substance a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst. Although the drawings and related description of the invention concern a preferred embodiment applied to the example of a liquid electrolytic reaction within a conducting pipeline, it will be understood that the invention in it's broad scope includes application to any reaction in which the presence of a simulated catalyst is of benefit. By providing a simulated frequency resonance which mimics the presence of a selected catalyst, the use of an actual catalyst can often be completely eliminated. In some applications it may be preferable to retain the presence of conventional catalysts but to enhance the effectiveness of those catalysts present by adding a simulated frequency resonance of amplitude equal or greater than the catalyst's natural nuclear magnetic resonance. The costs of expensive plated precious metal catalysts can be minimized, and the costs of reclaiming and repairing various catalytic converters reduced. Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description and drawings included below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be readily understood, two preferred embodiments of the invention and variations thereof will be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of the invention applied to a liquid electrolytic reaction within a conducting pipeline housing an electrolytic cell, a submerged standing wave antennae and a resonance frequency generator; Figure 2 is a partially longitudinal sectional detail view of the electrolytic cell and antennae housing; Figure 3 is a sectional transverse view through the antennae housing showing the standing wave antennae and oscillator coil; and Figure 4 is a schematic view of a second embodiment also applied to liquid electrolytic reaction within a cylindrical reaction chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to Fig. 1, a first preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated as an example. In this example, the invention is used to simulate the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst during an electrolytic chemical reaction in a liquid substance. The liquid electrolyte is conveyed through a pipeline 1 in the direction of the arrows by pumping means, not shown. The electrolyte is contained within the pipe 1 in this example but it will be understood that any means for containing a substance may be used, such as agitator tanks, cracking towers etc. Frequency inducing means 2, such as a radio frequency generator 2 is disposed in communication with the electrolytic substance by means of a standing wave antennae 3 submerged in the electrolyte. As best shown in Figures 3 and 1, the antennae 3 communicates with an oscillator coil 4 which receives the radio frequency signal from the frequency generator 2 via a connecting signal conducting two wire cable 5. The frequency generator 2 induces within the substance a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of a selected catalyst. The frequency generator 2 can preferably generate a resonance with an adjustable frequency and an adjustable amplitude. Therefore the simulated frequency can be selected from frequencies which simulate the nuclear magnetic resonance of common catalysts such as platinum, rhenium, iridium and ruthenium. The amplitude of the simulated resonance can be selected from a variable range including amplitudes in excess of the amplitude of the nuclear magnetic resonance of those common catalysts and others. In the example illustrated in Figures 1-3, the device includes an electrolytic cell 6 housed within the pipeline 1. The antennae 3 is housed within a standard Tee 7 also within the pipeline 1, disposed upstream of the electrolytic cell 6 in a moving stream of liquid electrolyte. As shown in Figure 2, the electrolytic cell includes at least one anode 8 and one cathode 9 both connected to a source of electrical current, not shown. The anodes 8 and cathodes 9 may be unplated or may be plated with a selected catalyst. Where plated anodes 8 and cathodes 9 are used, the frequency generator 2 is set to induce a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of the selected catalyst plated on the anodes 8 and cathodes 9. The operation of the example device illustrated is as follows. Liquid electrolyte is pumped through the pipeline 1 at a controlled flow quantity. The nuclear magnetic resonance of a selected catalyst is induced within the electrolyte by the resonance produced by the frequency generator 2 and communicated to the electrolyte via the submerged standing wave antennae 3. The electrolyte resonates at the selected frequency and amplitude as it travels downstream to encounter the anodes 8 and cathodes 9 of the electrolytic cell 6. The presence of a catalyst is simulated and the desired chemical reaction occurs within the electrolytic cell 6. The electrolyte after reaction proceeds toward further processing downstream of the electrolytic cell 6. It is anticipated that a commercial embodiment of the invention will include not only the pipeline insertion device shown in Figures 1-3, but also a reaction tower 15 version shown in Figure 4. In this second embodiment of the invention, fresh liquid electrolyte enters inlet 10 and reacted electrolyte is removed via outlet 11. An electrolyte chiller unit 12 maintains optimal electrolyte temperature for the reaction as electrolyte is removed via base pipe 13, proceeds through the chiller 12 and then through the process unit 14. The process unit 14 houses the frequency generator 2, electrolytic cell 6, standing wave antennae 6, and all related components in a single compact unit. Reacted electrolyte is returned to the tower 15 via return pipe 16. Gases or other reaction products may be removed within the tower 15 and reacted electrolyte removed for further processing via the outlet 11. Although the above description and accompanying drawings relate to specific preferred embodiments as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that the invention in its broad aspect includes mechanical and functional equivalents of the elements described and illustrated.

Claims: I CLAIM: 1. A catalytic resonance simulator device, for simulating the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst during a chemical reaction in a substance, the device comprising: container means for containing the substance; and frequency inducing means, in communication with the substance, for inducing within the substance a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst. 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the frequency inducing means has an adjustable frequency. 3. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein the frequency can be selected from the frequencies that simulate the nuclear magnetic resonance of the following catalysts: platinum; radium; titanium; and ruthenium. 4. A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the frequency inducing means has an adjustable amplitude. 5. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein the induced amplitude can be selected from a range of amplitudes in excess of the amplitude of the nuclear magnetic resonance of the following catalysts: platinum; rhenium; iridium; and ruthenium. 6. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein the container is an electrolytic cell comprising: a cathode; an anode; and a source of electrical current communicating with the cathode and anode, and wherein the substance is an electrolyte. 7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the frequency inducing means includes a standing wave antennae submerged in the electrolyte. 8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the antennae communicates with an oscillator coil receiving a radio frequency signal from a remote frequency generator via a connecting signal conductor. 9. A device according to claim 7 wherein the cell and antennae are housed within a pipe, the device further including pump means for conveying the electrolyte through the pipe. 10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the antennae is disposed upstream of the cell submerged in a moving stream of electrolyte. 11. A device according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the cathode and the anode are plated with a selected catalyst, and wherein the frequency inducing means is capable of inducing a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of said selected catalyst. 12. A device according to claim 7 including electrolyte chilling means in thermal communication with the electrolyte. 13. A method of catalytic resonance simulation, for simulating the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst during a chemical reaction in a substance, the method comprising inducing within the substance a resonance of a frequency that simulates the nuclear magnetic resonance of a catalyst. 14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the frequency induced is an adjustable frequency. 15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the induced frequency is selected from the frequencies that simulate the nuclear magnetic resonance of the following catalysts: platinum; radium; titanium; and ruthenium. 16. A method according to claim 13 wherein the resonance induced has an adjustable amplitude. 17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the induced amplitude can be selected from a range of amplitudes in excess of the amplitude of the nuclear magnetic resonance of the following catalysts: platinum; rhenium; iridium; and ruthenium. 18. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the reaction takes place within an electrolytic cell comprising: a cathode; an anode; and a source of electrical current communicating with the cathode and anode, and wherein the substance is an electrolyte. 19. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the cell includes a standing wave antennae submerged in the electrolyte. 20. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the cell and antennae are housed within a pipe, the method further including conveying the electrolyte through the pipe.

Inventors: MOHR THOMAS J, MOHR, THOMAS, J.
Applicants: OXY L EAU INC, OXY L'EAU INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: G01N24
IPC codes: B01J19, G01N24