Claims
- 1. A control system for a catalytic process, comprising:
a) an electroconductive support having a layer of a catalyst thereon; b) a means for applying a DC field across the catalyst layer and the electroconductive support; c) a means for controlling and varying the application of the DC field; d) a means for measuring the polarization impedance across the catalyst layer and the electroconductive layer; e) a means for comparing the measured polarization impedance with a reference value; and f) a means for varying the application of the DC field to the catalyst layer and the electroconductive support when the measured polarization impedance differs from the reference value.
- 2. The control system of claim 1, further comprising:
g) a means for heating the catalyst layer; h) a means for controlling and varying the application of heat; and i) a means for varying the application of heat to the catalyst layer and the electroconductive support when the measured polarization impedance differs from the reference value.
- 3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the electroconductive support is tubular in shape, wherein the catalyst extends at least a portion of the inner diameter of the tubular support.
- 4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is in contact with the electroconductive support, wherein the second electrode and the AC sensor are in contact with the catalyst layer at a point generally opposite and across the tube from the first electrode.
- 5. The control system of claim 1, wherein the electroconductive support is selected from the group consisting of solid electrolytes, mixed conductors, and cermets.
- 6. The control system of claim 1, wherein the electroconductive support is selected from the group consisting of stabilized zirconia, stabilized bismuth oxide, yttria-stabilized bismuth oxide, Nb2O5-stabilized bismuth oxide, sodium beta alumina, hydronium beta alumina, Nafion, a porous metal, cerium oxide-based solid solutions, CaTiO3 solid solutions, SrTiO3-based solid solutions, LaAlO3-based solid solutions, and molybdenum silicide.
- 7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a metal or an electrically conductive ceramic.
- 8. The control system of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, and SnO—In2O3 mixtures.
- 9. A control system for a catalytic process, comprising: an electroconductive support having a layer of a catalyst thereon, a current control unit communicating with a first electrode and a second electrode opposite in polarity to the first electrode, the current control unit controlling and varying the application of DC current to the first and second electrodes, the first electrode contacting the electroconductive support, the second electrode contacting the catalyst, the current control unit controlling and varying the application of an AC current to the first and second electrodes, an AC sensor being in communication with the catalyst layer or the electroconductive layer, the level of AC current in the first and second electrodes and the level of AC current detected at the AC sensor at two different frequencies being in communication with an impedance measurement unit where polarization impedance is determined, the impedance measurement unit communicating with a central processing unit wherein the measured polarization impedance is compared to a reference value, the central processing unit communicating with the current control unit to vary the application of DC current to the first and second electrodes when the determined polarization impedance differs from the reference value.
- 10. The control system of claim 1, further comprising a heat control unit communicating with a heat source, the heat source being adapted to apply heat to the catalyst layer, the heat control unit controlling the rate and temperature of heat applied by the heat source to the catalyst layer, the central processing unit communicating with the heat control unit to vary the application of heat when the measured polarization impedance differs from the reference value.
- 11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the electroconductive support is selected from the group consisting of solid electrolytes, mixed conductors, and cermets.
- 12. The control system of claim 10, wherein the electroconductive support is selected from the group consisting of stabilized zirconia, stabilized bismuth oxide, yttria-stabilized bismuth oxide, Nb2O5-stabilized bismuth oxide, sodium beta alumina, hydronium beta alumina, Nafion, a porous metal, cerium oxide-based solid solutions, CaTiO3 solid solutions, SrTiO3-based solid solutions, LaAlO3-based solid solutions, and molybdenum silicide.
- 13. The control system of claim 10, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a metal or an electrically conductive ceramic.
- 14. The control system of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, and SnO—In2O3 mixtures.
- 15. A control system for a catalytic process, comprising:
a) first and second system components each having an electroconductive support having a catalyst layer thereon, the catalyst layers being spaced-apart from, in proximity to, and oriented toward each other; b) a means for applying a DC field across the two catalyst layers; c) a means for controlling and varying the application of the DC field; d) a means for measuring the polarization impedance across the two catalyst layers; e) a means for comparing the measured polarization impedance with a reference value; and f) a means for varying the application of the DC field across the two catalyst layers when the measured polarization impedance differs from the reference value.
- 16. A control system for a catalytic process, comprising:
first and second system components each having an electroconductive support having a catalyst layer thereon, the catalyst layers being spaced-apart from, in proximity to, and oriented toward each other, a current control unit communicating with a first electrode and a second electrode opposite in polarity to the first electrode, the current control unit controlling and varying the application of DC current to the first and second electrodes, the first electrode contacting the first system component and the second electrode contacting the second system component, an AC sensor communicating with the second system component, the current control unit communicating with a the AC sensor, the current control unit controlling and varying the application of AC current to the first and second electrodes, the level of AC current in the first and second electrodes and the level of AC current detected at the AC sensor at two different frequencies communicated with an impedance measurement unit where polarization impedance is determined, the impedance measurement unit communicating with a central processing unit wherein the measured polarization impedance is compared to a reference value, the central processing unit communicating with the current control unit to vary the application of DC current to the first and second electrodes when the measured polarization impedance differs from the reference value.
- 17. A process comprising contacting the catalyst of the control system of claim 1 with a throughput stream of light hydrocarbons or combustion exhaust.
- 18. A process comprising contacting the catalyst of the control system of claim 7 with a throughput stream of light hydrocarbons or combustion exhaust.
- 19. A process comprising contacting the catalyst of the control system of claim 12 with a throughput stream of light hydrocarbons or combustion exhaust.
- 20. A process comprising contacting the catalyst of the control system of claim 13 with a throughput stream of light hydrocarbons or combustion exhaust.
Parent Case Info
[0001] Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 60/416,966, filed on Oct. 8, 2002 and 60/395,729 filed on Jul. 12, 2002 is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e).
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60416966 |
Oct 2002 |
US |
|
60395729 |
Jul 2002 |
US |