The Technology
Catelectric’s patented, proprietary technology measures certain electrical characteristics of catalytic reactions, solves for optimization along the desired reaction path and returns a control signal that conditions the reaction accordingly. The desired changes in the catalytic yield are achieved continuously, with response in real time.
The principle behind the control process is that the yield of the catalytic processes can be increased and controlled (both in quantity and product selectivity) by variable polarization of the catalytic interfaces. The overall voltages applied in the Catelectric system are low (less than two volts), but they are applied across interfaces which are very thin. The width of the interface is ~ 1 nanometer, which is close to the diameter of a small molecule. This leads to the creation of very high electric fields across the polarized interfaces: the order of magnitude of these fields can be as high as 106 V/cm.
Such high fields excite the polarized molecules of the intermediates, with the feedback loop continuously managing the reaction. The concentration of effective catalytic sites available for the reaction is increased significantly and the reaction path is controlled. The result is increased yield of desired product with selectivity approaching 100%!
The system feedback and control signals do not require electrical continuity because they are oscillating current. The low energy waves are propagated throughout the catalytic medium, promoting uniformity of catalytic performance.Proof of Concept and Reduction to Practice
In the laboratories of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut, Catelectric system has been shown to be effective in all of the applications tested. These include conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable hydrocarbons, Reduction of NOx with non-noble catalyst and oxidation of benzene to phenol. Mitigation of carbon (soot) poisoning in automotive catalytic converters by oxidation was also demonstrated.
The Catelectric control process requires only the addition of signal leads and the control device to the catalytic reactor. The preparation of the substrate/catalyst may also be modified to promote signal propagation.
All analysis of reaction product was done by independent University of Connecticut scientists. Results were verified over test runs numerous enough to establish reliability. Operating parameters were then varied to realize a correlation between control system parameters and result.
The Catelectric control system has been shown to make significant changes in product and yield in every catalytic reaction tested. The process was even shown to activate a known non-reactive material to achieve catalysis.