U.S. patent application number 09/919679 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for spectral catalysts.
Invention is credited to Blum, Bentley J., Brooks, Juliana H.J..
Application Number | 20020031814 09/919679 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21962405 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020031814 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brooks, Juliana H.J. ; et
al. |
March 14, 2002 |
Spectral catalysts
Abstract
A wide variety of reactions can be advantageously affected and
directed by a spectral catalyst which duplicates the
electromagnetic energy spectral pattern of a physical catalyst and
when applied to a reaction system transfers a quanta of energy in
the form of electromagnetic energy to control and/or promote the
reaction system. The spectral catalysts utilized in this invention
can replace and/or augment the energy normally provided to the
reaction system by a physical catalyst. A spectral catalyst may
also act as both a positive catalyst to increase the rate of a
reaction or as a negative catalyst to decrease the rate of
reaction.
Inventors: |
Brooks, Juliana H.J.;
(Columbus, OH) ; Blum, Bentley J.; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
The Law Offices of Mark G. Mortenson
Post Office Box 310
North East
MD
21901-0310
US
|
Family ID: |
21962405 |
Appl. No.: |
09/919679 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09919679 |
Aug 1, 2001 |
|
|
|
09460025 |
Dec 13, 1999 |
|
|
|
09460025 |
Dec 13, 1999 |
|
|
|
09098883 |
Jun 17, 1998 |
|
|
|
6033531 |
|
|
|
|
60049910 |
Jun 18, 1997 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
435/173.1 ;
204/155 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01J 37/342 20130101;
B01J 19/127 20130101; B01J 19/122 20130101; B01J 19/121
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/173.1 ;
204/155 |
International
Class: |
C25B 005/00; C12N
013/00 |
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A method to augment a physical catalyst in a chemical reaction
system with a spectral catalyst comprising the steps of: a)
determining an electromagnetic spectral pattern of said physical
catalyst; b) duplicating at least one frequency of said
electromagnetic spectral pattern of step (a) with at least one
electromagnetic energy emitter source; c) exposing said chemical
reaction system to said at least one frequency of said duplicated
electromagnetic spectral pattern thereby augmenting said physical
catalyst.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said physical catalyst
is a member selected from the group consisting of metals, metal
oxides and metal sulfides.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic
spectral pattern is determined by spectroscopy methods.
4. The method according to claim 11 wherein said chemical reaction
system is irradiated with said electromagnetic spectral pattern
having frequencies ranging from about radio frequency to about
ultraviolet frequency.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said frequency is in the
visible light range.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said physical catalyst
is an enzyme.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said physical catalyst
is introduced into said chemical reaction prior to irradiation with
said spectral catalyst.
8. The method according to claim 3 wherein said spectroscopy is a
member selected from the group consisting of x-ray, ultraviolet,
microwave, infrared, atomic absorption, flame emissions, atomic
emissions, inductively coupled plasma, DC argon plasma, arc-source
emission, spark-source emission, high resolution laser and
Raman.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein said physical catalyst
is a member selected from the group consisting of silver, platinum,
platinum oxide, nickel, palladium, rhodium, copper, ruthenium and
iron.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic
energy source is at least one laser.
11. The method according to claim 11 wherein said physical catalyst
is introduced to said chemical reaction system subsequent to
irradiating said system with said spectral catalyst.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said physical catalyst
is introduced to said chemical reaction system and irradiating said
system with said spectral catalyst is substantially
simultaneous.
13. A method for augmenting a physical catalyst in a chemical
reaction comprising the following steps of: a) duplicating at least
one frequency of an electromagnetic spectral pattern of said
physical catalyst; and b) exposing said chemical reaction system to
said at least one frequency of said duplicated electromagnetic
spectral pattern in a sufficient amount to augment said physical
catalyst.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein said at least one
frequency of said electromagnetic spectral pattern is a harmonic
frequency of said electromagnetic spectral pattern of said
augmented physical catalyst.
15. The method according to claim 13 wherein said at least one
frequency copies a mechanism of action of said augmented physical
catalyst.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No.
09/098,883 filed Jun. 17, 1998 which claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/049,910 filed Jun. 18,
1997.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to a novel method to control and/or
direct a chemical reaction by exposing the reaction system to a
frequency or frequencies of electromagnetic energy duplicating the
spectral pattern of a physical catalyst.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] A chemical reaction can be activated or promoted either by
the addition of energy to the reaction medium in the form of
thermal and electromagnetic energy or by means of transferring
energy through a physical catalyst. None of these methods are
energy efficient and can produce either unwanted by-products,
decomposition of the necessary transition state, or insufficient
quantities of preferred products.
[0004] It is generally true that chemical reactions occur as a
result of collisions between reacting molecules. In terms of the
collision theory of chemical kinetics it is expected that the rate
of a reaction is directly proportional to the number of the
molecular collisions per second, or to the frequency of molecular
collisions:
rate.varies.number of collision/sec
[0005] This simple relationship explains the dependence of reaction
rates on concentration. Additionally, with few exceptions, reaction
rates increase with increasing temperature because of increased
collisions.
[0006] The dependence of the rate constant k of a reaction can be
expressed by the following equation, known as the Arrhenius
equation:
k=Ae.sup.-Ea/RT
[0007] where Ea is the activation energy of the reaction which is
the minimum amount of energy required to initiate a chemical
reaction, R the gas constant, T the absolute temperature and e the
base of the natural logarithm scale. The quantity A represents the
collision frequency and shows that the rate constant is directly
proportional to A and, therefore, to the collision frequency.
Furthermore, because of the minus sign associated with the exponent
E.sub.a/RT, the rate constant decreases with increasing activation
energy and increases with increasing temperature.
[0008] Normally, only a small fraction of the colliding molecules,
the fastest-moving ones, have enough kinetic energy to exceed the
activation energy, therefore, the increase in the rate constant k
can now be explained with the temperature increase. Since more
high-energy molecules are present at a higher temperature, the rate
of product formation is also greater at the higher temperature.
But, with increased temperatures there are a number of problems
which are introduced into the reaction system. With thermal
excitation other competing processes, such as bond rupture may
occur before the desired energy state can be reached. Also, there
are a number of decomposition products which often produce
fragments that are extremely reactive, but they are so short lived
because of their thermodynamic instability that a preferred
reaction may be dampened. Radiant or light energy is another form
of energy that may be added to the reaction medium without the
negative side effects of thermal energy. Addition of radiant energy
to a system produces electronically excited molecules that are
capable of undergoing chemical reactions.
[0009] A molecule in which all the electrons are in stable orbitals
is said to be in the ground electronic state. These orbitals may be
either bonding or nonbonding. If a photon of the proper energy
collides with the molecule, i.e., the photon is absorbed and one of
the electrons may be promoted to an unoccupied orbital of higher
energy. Electronic excitation results in spatial redistribution of
the valance electrons with concomitant changes in internuclear
configurations. Since chemical reactions are controlled to a great
extent by these factors, an electronically excited molecule
undergoes a chemical reaction that may be distinctly different from
those of its ground-state counterpart.
[0010] The energy of a photon is defined in terms of its frequency
or wavelength,
E=h.nu.=hc/.lambda.
[0011] where E is energy; h is Plank's constant,
6.6.times.10.sup.-34 J.multidot.sec; .nu. is the frequency of the
radiation, sec.sup.-1; c is the speed of light; and .lambda. is the
wavelength of the radiation. When a photon is absorbed, all of its
energy is imparted to the absorbing species. The primary act
following absorption depends on the wavelength of the incident
light. Photochemistry studies photons whose energies lie in the
ultraviolet region (100-4000 .ANG.) and in the visible region
(4000-7000 .ANG.) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such photons are
primarily a cause of electronically excited molecules.
[0012] Since the molecules are imbued with electronic energy upon
absorption of light, reactions occur from entirely different
potential-energy surfaces from those encountered in thermally
excited systems. However, there are several drawbacks of using the
known techniques of photochemistry, that being, utilizing a broad
band of frequencies thereby causing unwanted side reactions, undue
experimentation, and poor quantum yield.
[0013] A catalyst is a substance which alters the reaction rate of
a chemical reaction without appearing in the end product. It is
known that some reactions can be speeded up or controlled by the
presence of substances which themselves remain unchanged after the
reaction has ended. By increasing the velocity of a desired
reaction relative to unwanted reactions, the formation of a desired
product can be maximized compared with unwanted by-products. Often
only a trace of catalyst is necessary to accelerate the reaction.
Also, it has been observed that some substances, which if added in
trace amounts, can slow down the rate of a reaction. This looks
like the reverse of catalysis, and, in fact, substances which slow
down a reaction rate have been called negative catalysts. Known
catalysts go through a cycle in which they are used and regenerated
so that they can be used again and again. A catalyst operates by
providing another path for the reaction which can have a higher
reaction rate or slower rate than available in the absence of the
catalyst. At the end of the reaction, because the catalyst can be
recovered, it appears the catalyst is not involved in the reaction.
But, the catalyst must take part in the reaction, or else the rate
of the reaction would not change. The catalytic act may be
represented by five essential steps:
[0014] 1. Diffusion to the catalytic site (reactant)
[0015] 2. Bond formation at the catalytic site (reactant)
[0016] 3. Reaction of the catalyst-reactant complex
[0017] 4. Bond rupture at the catalytic site (product)
[0018] 5. Diffusion away from the catalytic site (product).
[0019] The exact mechanisms of catalytic actions are unknown but
they can speed up a reaction that otherwise would take place too
slowly to be practical.
[0020] There are a number of problems involved with known
industrial catalysts: firstly, catalysts can not only lose their
efficiency but also their selectivity, which can occur due to
overheating or contamination of the catalyst; secondly, many
catalysts include costly metals such as platinum or silver and have
only a limited life span, some are difficult to rejuvenate, and the
precious metals not easily reclaimed.
[0021] Accordingly, what is needed is a method to catalyze a
chemical reaction without the drawbacks of known physical catalysts
and with greater specificity than thermal and known electromagnetic
radiation methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Terms
[0023] For purposes of this invention, the terms and expressions
below, appearing in the specification and claims, are intended to
have the following meanings:
[0024] "Spectral pattern" as used herein means a pattern formed by
one or more electromagnetic frequencies emitted or absorbed after
excitation of an atom or molecule.
[0025] "Catalytic spectral pattern" as used herein means a spectral
pattern of a physical catalyst which when applied to a chemical
reaction system in the form of a beam or field can catalyze a
chemical reaction by the following:
[0026] a) completely replacing a physical chemical catalyst;
[0027] b) acting in unison with a physical chemical catalyst to
increase the rate of reaction;
[0028] c) reducing the rate of reaction by acting as a negative
catalyst; or
[0029] d) altering the path of a reaction for formation of a
specific product.
[0030] "spectral catalyst" as used herein means electromagnetic
energy which acts as a catalyst having a catalytic spectral pattern
which affects, controls, or directs a chemical reaction.
[0031] "Frequency" as used herein includes the exact frequency or a
substantially similar frequency.
[0032] The object of this invention is to control or direct a
chemical reaction by applying electromagnetic energy in the form of
a spectral catalyst having at least one electromagnetic energy
frequency which may initiate, activate, or affect the reactants
involved in the chemical reaction.
[0033] In this regards, it is a principal object of the present
invention to provide an efficient, selective and economical process
for replacing and/or augmenting a known physical catalyst in a
chemical reaction comprising the steps of:
[0034] a) duplicating at least one frequency of a spectral pattern
of a physical catalyst; and
[0035] b) exposing the reaction system to at least one frequency of
the spectral pattern of the physical catalyst.
[0036] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
method to replace a physical catalyst in a chemical reaction system
with a spectral catalyst comprising the steps of:
[0037] a) determining an electromagnetic spectral pattern of the
physical catalyst; and
[0038] b) duplicating at least one frequency of the electromagnetic
spectral pattern of the physical catalyst with at least one
electromagnetic energy emitter source; and
[0039] c) exposing the chemical reaction system to the at least one
frequency of the duplicated electromagnetic spectral pattern in a
sufficient amount and duration to catalyze the chemical
reaction.
[0040] A further object of this invention is to provide a method to
affect and direct a chemical reaction system with a spectral
catalyst by augmenting a physical catalyst comprising the steps
of:
[0041] a) duplicating at least one frequency of a spectral pattern
of the physical catalyst with at least one electromagnetic energy
emitter source;
[0042] b) irradiating the chemical reaction system with the at
least one frequency of the duplicated electromagnetic spectral
pattern having a frequency range from about radio frequency to
about ultraviolet frequency for a sufficient duration to catalyze
the chemical reaction; and
[0043] c) introducing the physical catalyst into the reaction
system.
[0044] The above method may be practiced by introducing the
physical catalyst into the reaction system before, and/or during,
and/or after the irradiation of the reaction system with the
electromagnetic spectral pattern of the physical catalyst, or the
reaction system can be exposed to the physical and spectral
catalysts simultaneously.
[0045] A still further object of this invention is to provide a
method to affect and direct a reaction system with a spectral
catalyst comprising the steps of:
[0046] a) determining an electromagnetic spectral pattern for
starting reactant in said chemical reaction system;
[0047] b) determining an electromagnetic spectral pattern for end
product in said chemical reaction system;
[0048] c) calculating an additive electromagnetic spectral pattern
from said reactant and product spectral pattern to determine a
catalytic spectral pattern;
[0049] d) generating at least one frequency of the catalytic
spectral pattern; and
[0050] e) irradiating the reaction system with at least one
frequency of the catalytic spectral pattern.
[0051] The specific physical catalysts that may be replaced or
augmented in the present invention may include any solid, liquid or
gas catalyst and having either homogeneous or heterogeneous
catalytic activity. A homogeneous catalyst is defined as a catalyst
whose molecules are dispersed in the same phase as the reacting
chemicals. A heterogeneous catalyst is defined as one whose
molecules are not in the same phase as the reacting chemicals. In
addition, enzymes which are considered biological catalysts are to
be included in the present invention. Some examples of catalysts
that may be replaced or augmented comprise both elemental and
molecular catalysts, including, but not limited to, metals, such as
silver, platinum, nickel, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium and iron;
semiconducting metal oxides and sulfides, such as NiO, ZnO, MgO,
Bi.sub.2O.sub.3/MoO.sub.3, TiO.sub.2, SrTiO.sub.3, CdS, CdSe, SiC,
GaP, WO.sub.2, and MgO; copper sulfate; insulating oxides, such as
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, and MgO; and Ziegler-Natta catalysts,
such as titanium tetrachloride, and trialkyaluminum.
[0052] While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory of
operation, it is believed that a physical catalyst provides the
necessary activation energy to the system which initiates and/or
promotes the reaction to form the intermediates and/or final
products. Accordingly, it has now been discovered that a physical
catalyst can be replaced by duplicating its spectral pattern and by
exposing the reaction system to electromagnetic energy in the form
of electromagnetic radiation. The quanta of energy, having a
specific frequency or frequencies can be determined by
spectroscopic methods and delivered to the reaction system by means
of irradiation from any means of generating electromagnetic
energy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0053] A wide variety of reactions can be advantageously affected
and directed with the assistance of a spectral catalyst having a
specific electromagnetic spectral pattern which transfers a
predetermined quanta of energy to initiate, control and/or promote
a reaction system. The spectral catalyst utilized in this invention
can replace and provide the additional energy normally supplied by
a physical catalyst. The spectral catalyst can act as both a
positive catalyst to increase the rate of a reaction or as a
negative catalyst to decrease the rate of reaction. Furthermore,
the spectral catalyst can augment a physical chemical catalyst by
utilizing both in a reaction system. The spectral catalyst can
improve the activity of a chemical catalyst and may eliminate the
high pressure and temperature requirements of many reactions. Also,
the spectral catalyst can merely replace a specific quantity of the
chemical catalyst, thereby reducing the high cost of physical
catalysts in many industrial reactions.
[0054] In the present invention, the spectral catalyst provides
electromagnetic radiation comprising a specific frequency or
frequencies in a sufficient amount for a sufficient duration to
initiate and/or promote a chemical reaction. With the absorption of
electromagnetic energy from a spectral catalyst, a chemical
reaction may proceed through one or several pathways including:
energy transfer which can excite electrons to higher energy states
for initiation of chemical reaction; ionize or dissociate reactants
which may participate in a chemical reaction; stabilize end
products; and energize or stabilize intermediates that participate
in a chemical reaction.
[0055] If a chemical reaction provides for at least one reactant
"A" to be converted to at least one product "B", a physical
catalyst "C" may be utilized. In contrast, the spectral pattern of
the catalyst "C" may be applied in the form of an electromagnetic
beam or field to catalyze the reaction. 1
[0056] Substances A and B=unknown frequencies, and C=30 Hz;
[0057] Therefore, Substance A+30 Hz .fwdarw. Substance B
[0058] In the present invention the electromagnetic spectral
pattern of the catalytic agent "C" can be determined by known
methods of spectroscopy. Utilizing spectroscopic instrumentation,
the electromagnetic spectral pattern of the physical catalyst agent
is preferably determined under conditions approximating those
occurring in the chemical reaction using the physical catalyst.
Spectroscopy is a process in which the energy differences between
allowed states of the system are measured by determining the
frequencies of the corresponding electromagnetic energy which is
either being absorbed or emitted. Spectroscopy in general deals
with the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter. When
photons interact with atoms or molecules, changes in the properties
of atoms and molecules are observed.
[0059] Atoms and molecules are associated with several different
types of motion. The entire molecule rotates, the bonds vibrate,
and even the electrons move, albeit so rapidly that we generally
deal only with electron density distributions. Each of these kinds
of motion is quantified. That is, the atom or molecule can exist
only in distinct states that correspond to discrete energy
contents. The energy difference between the different quantum
states depends on the type of motion involved. Thus the wavelength
of energy required to bring about a transition is different for the
different types of motion. That is, each type of motion corresponds
to the absorption of energy in different regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum and different spectroscopic
instrumentation may be required for each spectral region. The total
motion energy of an atom or molecule may be considered to be at
least the sum of its electronic, rotational and vibrational
energies.
[0060] In both emission and absorption spectra, the relation
between the energy change in the atom or molecule and the frequency
of the electromagnetic energy emitted or absorbed is given by the
so-called Bohr frequency condition:
.DELTA.E=hv
[0061] where h is Planck's constant, v is the frequency and
.DELTA.E, is the difference of energies in the final and initial
states.
[0062] Electronic spectra are the result of electrons moving from
one electronic energy level to another in an atom or molecule. A
molecular physical catalyst's spectral pattern includes not only
electronic energy transitions but also may involve transitions
between rotational and vibrational energy levels. As a result, the
spectra of molecules are much more complicated than those of atoms.
The main changes observed in the atoms or molecules after
interaction with photons include excitation, ionization and/or
rupture of chemical bonds, all of which may be measured and
quantified by spectroscopic methods including emission or
absorption spectroscopy which give the same information about
energy level separation.
[0063] In emission spectroscopy, when an atom or molecule is
subjected to a flame or an electric discharge, they may absorb
energy and become "excited." On their return to their "normal"
state they may emit radiation. Such an emission is the result of a
transition of the atom or molecule from a high energy or "excited"
state to one of lower state. The energy lost in the transition is
emitted in the form of electromagnetic energy. "Excited" atoms
usually produce line spectra while "excited" molecules tend to
produce band spectra.
[0064] In absorption spectroscopy the absorption of nearly
monochromatic incident radiation is monitored as it is swept over a
range of frequencies. During the absorption process the atoms or
molecules pass from a state of low energy to one of high energy.
Energy changes produced by electromagnetic energy absorption occur
only in integral multiples of a unit amount of energy called a
quantum, which is characteristic of each absorbing species.
Absorption spectra may be classified into four types: rotational,
rotation-vibration, vibrational and electronic.
[0065] The rotational spectrum of a molecule is associated with
changes which occur in the rotational states of the molecule. The
energies of the rotational states differ only by a relatively small
amount, and hence, the frequency of light which is necessary to
effect a change in the rotational levels is very small and the
wavelength of electromagnetic energy is very large. The energy
spacing of molecular rotational states depends on bond distances
and angles. Pure rotational spectra are observed in the far
infrared and microwave and radio regions (See Table 1).
[0066] Rotation-vibrational spectra are associated with transitions
in which the vibrational states of the molecule are altered and may
be accompanied by changes in rotational states. Absorption occurs
at larger frequencies or shorter wavelength and usually occur in
the middle of the infrared region (See Table 1).
[0067] Vibrational spectra from different vibrational energy levels
occur because of bending and stretching of bonds. A stretching
vibration involves a change in the interatomic distance along the
axis of the bond between two atoms. Bending vibrations are
characterized by a change in the angle between two bonds. The
vibrational spectra of a molecule is in the near-infrared
range.
[0068] Electronic spectra are from transitions between electronic
states for atoms and molecules are accompanied by simultaneous
changes in the rotational and vibrational states in molecules.
Relatively large energy differences are involved, and hence
absorption occurs at rather large frequencies or relatively short
wavelengths. Different electronic states of atoms or molecules
correspond to energies in the infrared, ultraviolet-visible or
x-ray region of the electromagnetic spectrum (See Table 1).
1TABLE 1 Approximate Boundaries Region Name Energy, J Wavelength
Frequency, Hz X-ray 2 .times. 10.sup.-14 - 2 .times. 10.sup.-17
10-2-10 nm 3 .times. 10.sup.19 -3 .times. 10.sup.16 Vacuum
ultraviolet 2 .times. 10.sup.-17 - 9.9 .times. 10.sup.-19 10-200 nm
3 .times. 10.sup.16 - 1.5 .times. 10.sup.15 Near ultraviolet 9.9
.times. 10.sup.19 - 5 .times. 10.sup.-19 200-400 nm 1.5 .times.
10.sup.15 - 7.5 .times. 10.sup.14 Visible 5 .times. 10.sup.-19 -
2.5 .times. 10.sup.-19 400-800 nm 7.5 .times. 10.sup.14 - 3.8
.times. 10.sup.14 Near Infrared 2.5 .times. 10.sup.-19 - 6.6
.times. 10.sup.-20 0.8-2.5 .mu.m 3.8 .times. 10.sup.14 - 1 .times.
10.sup.14 Fundamental infrared 6.6 .times. 10.sup.-20 - 4 .times.
10.sup.-21 2.5-50 .mu.m 1 .times. 10.sup.14 - 6 .times. 10.sup.12
Far infrared 4 .times. 10.sup.-21 - 6.6 .times. 10.sup.-22 50-300
.mu.m 6 .times. 10.sup.12 - 1 .times. 10.sup.12 Microwave 6.6
.times. 10.sup.-22 - 4 .times. 10.sup.-25 0.3 mm-0.5 m 1 .times.
10.sup.12 - 6 .times. 10.sup.8 Radiowave 4 .times. 10.sup.-25 - 6.6
.times. 10.sup.-34 0.5-300 .times. 10.sup.6 m 6 .times. 10.sup.8 -
1
[0069] Electromagnetic radiation as a form of energy can be
absorbed or emitted, and therefore many different types of
spectroscopy may be used in the present invention to determine the
spectral pattern of the physical catalyst including, but not
limited to, x-ray, ultraviolet, infrared, microwave, atomic
absorption, flame emissions, atomic emissions, inductively coupled
plasma, DC argon plasma, arc-source emission, spark-source
emission, high-resolution laser, radio, Raman and the like.
[0070] In order to study the electronic transitions the material to
be studied may need to be heated to a high temperature, such as in
a flame, where the molecules are atomized and excited. Another,
very effective way of atomizing gases is the use of gaseous
discharges. When a gas is placed between charged electrodes,
causing an electrical field, electrons are liberated from the
electrodes and from the gas atoms themselves. These electrons will
collide with the gas atoms which will be atomized, excited or
ionized. By using high frequency fields it is possible to induce
gaseous discharges without using electrodes. By varying the field
strength, the excitation energy can be varied. In the case of a
solid material, excitation by electrical spark or arc can be used.
In the spark or arc, the material to be analyzed is evaporated and
the atoms are excited.
[0071] The basic scheme of an emission spectrophotometer includes a
purified silica cell containing the sample which is to be excited.
The radiation of the sample passes through a slit and is separated
into a spectrum by means of a dispersion element. The spectral
pattern can be detected on a screen, photographic film, or by a
detector.
[0072] An atom will most strongly absorb electromagnetic energy at
the same frequencies it emits. Measurements of absorption are often
made so that electromagnetic radiation that is emitted from a
source passes through a wavelength-limiting device, and impinges
upon the physical catalyst sample that is held in a cell. When a
beam of white light passes through a material, selected frequencies
from the beam are absorbed. The electromagnetic radiation that is
not absorbed by the physical catalyst passes through the cell and
strikes a detector. When the remaining beam is spread out in a
spectrum, the frequencies that were absorbed show up as dark lines
in the otherwise continuous spectrum. The position of these dark
lines correspond exactly to the positions of lines in an emission
spectrum of the same molecule or atom. Both emission and absorption
spectrophotometers are available through regular commercial
channels.
[0073] After determining the electromagnetic spectral pattern of
the physical catalyst agent, the spectral pattern may be duplicated
and applied to the chemical reaction system. Any generator of one
or more frequencies within an acceptable approximate range of
frequencies of electromagnetic radiation may be used in the present
invention. When duplicating one or more frequencies in a catalyst
spectrum, it is not necessary to duplicate the frequency exactly.
For instance, the effect achieved by a frequency of 1,000 Thz, can
also be achieved by a frequency very close to it, such as 1,001 or
999 Thz. Thus there will be a range above and below each exact
frequency which will also catalyze a reaction. In addition,
harmonics of spectral catalyst frequencies, both above and below
the exact frequency, will cause sympathetic resonance with the
exact frequency and will catalyze the reaction. Finally, it is
possible to catalyze reactions by duplicating one or more of the
mechanisms of action of the exact frequency, rather than using the
exact frequency itself. For example, platinum catalyzes the
formation of water from hydrogen and oxygen, in part, by energizing
the hydroxyl radical at its frequency of roughly 1,060 Thz. The
reaction can also be catalyzed by energizing the hydroxy radial
with its microwave frequency, thereby duplicating platinum's
mechanism of action.
[0074] An electromagnetic radiation emitting source should have the
following characteristics: high intensity of the desired
wavelengths, long life, stability and the ability to emit the
electromagnetic energy in a pulsed and/or continuous mode.
[0075] Irradiating sources can include, but are not limited to, arc
lamps, such as xenon-arc, hydrogen and deuterium, krypton-arc,
high-pressure mercury, platinum, silver; plasma arcs, discharge
lamps, such as As, Bi, Cd, Cs, Ge, Hg, K, P, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn,
Ti, Tl and Zn; hollow-cathode lamps, either single or multiple
elements such as Cu, Pt, and Ag; sunlight and coherent
electromagnetic energy emissions, such as masers and lasers.
[0076] Masers are devices which amplify or generate electromagnetic
energy waves with great stability and accuracy. Masers operate on
the same principal as lasers, but produce electromagnetic energy in
the radio and microwave, rather than visible range of the spectrum.
In masers the electromagnetic energy is produced by the transition
of molecules between rotational energy levels.
[0077] Lasers are powerful coherent photon sources that produce a
beam of photons having the same frequency, phase and direction,
that is, a beam of photons that travel exactly alike. The
predetermined spectral pattern of the physical catalyst can be
generated by a series or grouping of lasers producing the required
frequencies. Any laser capable of emitting the necessary
electromagnetic radiation with a frequency or frequencies of the
spectral catalyst may be used in the present invention. Lasers are
available for use throughout much of the spectral range. They can
be operated in either continuous or pulsed mode. Lasers that emit
lines and lasers that emit a continuum may be used in the present
invention. Line sources may include argon ion laser, ruby laser,
the nitrogen laser, the Nd:YAG laser, the carbon dioxide laser, the
carbon monoxide laser, and the nitrous oxide-carbon dioxide laser.
In addition to the spectral lines that are emitted by lasers,
several other lines are available by addition or subtraction in a
crystal of the frequency emitted by one laser to or from that
emitted by another laser. Devices that combine frequencies and may
be used in the present invention include difference frequency
generators and sum frequency mixers. Other lasers that may be used
in this invention include, but is not limited to crystal, such as
Al.sub.2O.sub.3 doped with Cr.sup.3+, Y.sub.3Al.sub.5O.sub.12 doped
with Nd.sup.3+; gas, such as He--Ne, Kr--ion; glass, chemical, such
as vibrationally excited HCL and HF; dye, such as RHODAMINE6G in
methanol; and semiconductor lasers, such as Ga.sub.1-xAl.sub.xAs.
Many models can be tuned to various frequency ranges, thereby
providing several different frequencies from one instrument and
applying to the reaction system (See Table 2).
2TABLE 2 SEVERAL POPULAR LASERS Medium Type Emitted wavelength, nm
Ar Gas 334, 351.1, 363.8, 454.5, 457.9, 465.8, 472.7, 476.5, 488.0,
496.5, 501.7, 514.5, 528.7 Kr Gas 350.7, 356.4, 406.7, 413.1,
415.4, 468.0, 476.2, 482.5, 520.8, 530.9, 568.2, 647.1, 676.4,
752.5, 799.3 He--Ne Gas 632.8 He--Cd Gas 325.0, 441.6 N.sub.2 Gas
337.1 XeF Gas 351 KrF Gas 248 ArF Gas 193 Ruby Solid 693.4 Nd:YAG
Solid 266, 355, 532 Pb.sub.1-xCd.sub.xS Solid 2.9 .times. 10.sup.3
- 2.6 .times. 10.sup.4 Pb.sub.1-xSe.sub.x Solid 2.9 .times.
10.sup.3 - 2.6 .times. 10.sup.4 Pb.sub.1-xSn.sub.xSe Solid 2.9
.times. 10.sup.3 - 2.6 .times. 10.sup.4 Pb.sub.1-xSn.sub.xTe Solid
2.9 .times. 10.sup.3 - 2.6 .times. 10.sup.4 Dyes Liquid
217-1000
[0078] The coherent light from a single laser or a series of lasers
is simply brought to focus in the region where the reaction is to
take place. The light source must be close enough to avoid a "dead
space" in which the light does not reach the reactant, but far
enough apart to assure complete incident-light absorption. Since
ultraviolet sources generate heat, they may need to be cooled to
maintain efficient operation. Irradiation time, causing excitation
of the reactants, will be individually tailored for each reaction:
some short-term for a continuous reaction with large surface
exposure to the light source or long light-contact time for other
systems.
[0079] A further object of this invention is to provide
electromagnetic energy to the reaction system by applying a
spectral pattern determined and calculated by waveform analysis of
the spectral patterns of the reactants and the products. This
catalytic spectral pattern will act as a spectral catalyst to
generate a preferred chemical reaction. In basic terms,
spectroscopic data for identified substances can be used to perform
a simple waveform calculation to arrive at the correct
electromagnetic energy frequency needed to catalyze a reaction.
2
[0080] Substance A=50 Hz, and Substance B=80 Hz
[0081] 80 Hz-50 Hz=30 Hz:
[0082] Therefore, Substance A+30 Hz .fwdarw. Substance B.
[0083] The spectral patterns of both the reactant and product can
be determined. This can be accomplished by the spectroscopic means
mentioned earlier. Once the spectral patterns are determined with
the specific frequency or frequencies of the interaction of the
substance with electromagnetic radiation, the spectral patterns of
the spectral catalyst can be determined. Using the spectral
patterns of the reactants and products, a waveform analysis
calculation can determine the energy difference between the
reactants and products and the calculated spectral pattern is
applied to the system to catalyze the reaction. The specific
frequency or frequencies of the spectral pattern will provide the
necessary energy input into the system to affect and initiate a
chemical reaction.
[0084] Performing the waveform analysis calculation to arrive at
the correct electromagnetic energy frequency or frequencies can be
accomplished by using complex algebra, Fourier transformation, or
Wavelet Transforms which is available through commercial channels
under the trademark MATHEMATICA.RTM. and supplied by Wolfram,
Co.
[0085] The spectral pattern of the physical catalyst may be
generated and applied to the reaction system by the electromagnetic
radiation emitting sources defined and explained earlier.
[0086] The use of a spectral catalyst may be applicable in many
different areas of technology ranging from biochemical processes to
industrial reactions.
[0087] The most amazing catalysts are enzymes which catalyze the
multitudinous reactions in living organisms. Of all the intricate
processes that have evolved in living systems, none are more
striking or more essential than enzyme catalysis. The amazing fact
about enzymes is that not only can they increase the rate of
biochemical reactions by reactors ranging from 10.sup.6 to
10.sup.12, but they are also highly specific. An enzyme acts only
on certain molecules while leaving the rest of the system
unaffected. Some have been found to have a high degree of
specificity while others can catalyze a number of reactions. If a
biological reaction can be catalyzed by only one enzyme then the
loss of activity or reduced activity of that enzyme could greatly
inhibit the specific reaction and could be detrimental to a living
organism. If this situation occurs, the spectral pattern could be
determined for the exact enzyme or mechanism, then genetic
deficiencies could be augmented by providing the catalytic spectral
pattern to replace the enzyme. One of the objects of this invention
is to provide the same frequency or frequencies of energy in the
form of a spectral catalyst that is transferred by an enzyme.
[0088] The invention will be more clearly perceived and better
understood from the following specific examples.
EXAMPLE 1
H.sub.2+O.sub.2>>>>>platinum
catalyst>>>>>&g- t;H.sub.2O
[0089] Water can be produced by the method of contacting H.sub.2
and O.sub.2 on a physical platinum catalyst but there is always the
possibility of producing a potentially dangerous explosive risk.
This experiment replaced the physical platinum catalyst with a
spectral catalyst comprising the spectral pattern of the physical
platinum catalyst.
[0090] To demonstrate that oxygen and hydrogen can combine to form
water utilizing a spectral catalyst, electrolysis of water was
performed to provide the necessary oxygen and hydrogen starting
gases. A triple neck flask was fitted with two (2) rubber stoppers
on the outside necks, each fitted with glass encased platinum
electrodes. The flask was filled with distilled water and a pinch
of salt. The central neck was connected via a rubber stopper to
vacuum tubing, which led to a DRIERITE column to remove any water
from the produced gases. After vacuum removal of all gases in the
system, electrolysis was conducted using a 12 V power source
attached to the two electrodes. Electrolysis was commenced with the
subsequent production of hydrogen and oxygen gases. The gases
passed through the DRIERITE column, through vacuum tubing connected
to positive and negative pressure gauges and into a sealed round
quartz flask. A piece of paper which contained dried cobalt was
placed in the bottom of the sealed flask. Cobalt paper was used
because it turns pink in the presence of water, and blue when there
is no water present. Initially the cobalt paper was blue.
[0091] The traditional physical platinum catalyst was replaced by
spectral catalyst platinum emissions from a Fisher Scientific
Hollow Cathode Platinum Lamp which was positioned approximately 2
cm from the flask. This allowed the oxygen and hydrogen gases in
the round quartz flask to be irradiated with emissions from the
spectral catalyst. A Cathodeon Hollow Cathode Lamp Supply C610 was
used to power the Pt lamp at 80% maximum current (12 mAmps). The
reaction flask was cooled using dry ice in a Styrofoam container
positioned directly beneath the round quartz flask, thus preventing
any possible catalysis from heat. The Pt lamp was turned on and
within 2 to 3 days of irradiation a noticeable pink color was
evident on the cobalt paper strip, indicating the presence of water
in the round quartz flask. A similar cobalt test strip exposed to
the ambient air in the lab remained blue. Over the next 4-5 days,
with continued spectral catalyst application, the pink colored area
on the cobalt strip became brighter and larger. At the end of the
experiment the lamp was turned off but the system remained
connected. Over the next 4 to 5 days the pink colored area slowly
dissipated, indicating that any water produced in the flask slowly
escaped and that the water produced was due to the chemical
reaction catalyzed by the platinum lamp and not ambient moisture in
the flask. Upon discontinuation of the Pt emission, H.sub.2O
diffused out of the cobalt strip to be taken up in the DRIERITE
column and the pink coloration of the cobalt strip faded.
EXAMPLE 2
H.sub.2O.sub.2>>>>>>platinum
catalyst>>>>H.s- ub.2O+O.sub.2
[0092] The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is an extremely slow
reaction in the absence of catalysts. Accordingly, an experiment
was performed to show that the physical catalyst, finely divided
platinum, could be replaced with the spectral catalyst having the
spectral pattern of platinum. Hydrogen peroxide was placed in 2
nippled quartz tubes. Both quartz tubes were inverted in beaker
reservoirs filled with hydrogen peroxide and were shielded with
card board wrapped in aluminum foil to block incident light. One of
the wrapped tubes was used as a control. The other quartz tube
set-up was exposed to a Fisher Scientific Hollow Cathode Lamp for
platinum (Pt) using a Cathodeon Hollow Cathode Lamp Supply C610, at
80% maximum current (12 mAmps) for 24-96 hours. This tube set-up
was monitored for increases in temperature to assure that any
reaction was not due to thermal effects. A large bubble of O.sub.2
formed in the nipple of the tube exposed to the spectral pattern of
Pt, but not in the control tube.
[0093] As a negative control to confirm that any lamp would not
cause the same result, the experiment was repeated with a Na lamp.
(Na in a traditional reaction would be a reactant with water
releasing hydrogen gas, not a catalyst of hydrogen peroxide
breakdown.) The results showed no large bubble formation as with
the spectral pattern of Pt emission. This indicated that while
spectral emissions can substitute for catalysts, they cannot yet
substitute for reactants. Also it indicated that the simple effect
of using a hollow cathode tube emitting heat and energy into the
hydrogen peroxide was not the cause of the gas bubble formation but
instead the spectral pattern of Pt replacing the physical catalyst
caused the reaction.
EXAMPLE 3
[0094] It is well known that certain susceptible organisms have a
toxic reaction to silver (such as E.coli, Strep pneumoniae, or
Staph. aureus). In this regard, an experiment was conducted to show
that the spectral catalyst emitting the spectrum of silver
demonstrated a similar effect on these organisms. Wild E.coli, wild
Strep pneumoniae, wild Staph. aureus and wild Salmonella typhi
bacteria were plated onto standard growth medium in separate petri
dishes. Each dish was placed at the bottom of an exposure chamber.
A foil covered cardboard sheet with a patterned slit was placed
over each culture plate. A Fisher Scientific Hollow Cathode Lamp
for Silver (Ag) was inserted through the lid of the exposure
chamber so that the spectral emission pattern of silver was
irradiating the bacteria on the culture plate. A Cathodeon Hollow
Cathode Lamp Supply C610 was used to power the Ag lamp at 80%
maximum current (3.6 mAmps.) The culture plate was exposed to the
Ag emission for 12-24 hours, and then the plates were incubated
using standard techniques. There was no growth of bacteria in the
patterned slit section exposed to the silver emission for wild
E.coli, wild Strep, Pneumoniae, wild Staph. Aureus. The wild
Salmonella showed growth inhibition.
EXAMPLE 4
[0095] To further demonstrate that certain susceptible organisms
which have a toxic reaction to silver would have a similar reaction
to the spectral catalyst emitting the spectrum of silver. Cultures
were obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC)
which included Escherichia coli #25922, Klebsiella pneumonia, subsp
Pneumoniae, #13883. The organisms were plated onto a standard
growth medium in a petri dish. The dish was placed in the bottom of
an exposure chamber such as the bottom of a coffee can. A Fisher
Scientific Hollow Cathode Lamp for Silver (Ag) was inserted through
the lid (aluminum foil covered coffee lid) of the exposure chamber
so that the spectral emission pattern of silver was shining on the
culture plate. A Cathodeon Hollow Cathode Lamp Supply C610 was used
to power the Ag lamp at 80% maximum current (3.6 mAmps.) The
culture plate was exposed to the Ag emission for 12-24 hours, and
then incubated using standard techniques. Plates were examined
using binocular microscope. The E. coli exhibited moderate
resistance to the bactericidal effects of the spectral silver
emission, while the Klebsiella exhibited moderate sensitivity.
[0096] To demonstrate a similar result using the physical silver
catalyst, a colloidal silver solution was prepared at 80 ppm, using
5 cc of 0.9% sterile saline and distilled water. Sterile test discs
for antibiotic tests were soaked in the colloidal silver solution.
The same organisms were again plated from stock cultures onto
standard growth medium in a petri dish. Colloidal silver test discs
were placed on each plate and the plates were incubated using
standard techniques. The E. coli again exhibited moderate
resistance but this time to the bactericidal effects of the
physical colloidal silver, while the Klebsiella again exhibited
moderate sensitivity.
EXAMPLE 5
[0097] To demonstrate that oxygen and hydrogen can combine to form
water utilizing a spectral catalyst to augment a physical catalyst,
electrolysis of water was performed to provide the necessary oxygen
and hydrogen starting gases, as in Example 1. Two quartz flasks (A
and B) were connected to the electrolysis system, each with it own
set of vacuum and pressure gauges. Platinum powder (31 mg) was
placed in each flask. The flasks were filled with H.sub.2 and
O.sub.2 to 120 mm Hg, and the pressure in each flask was recorded
as the reaction proceeded. Additionally, the test was repeated
filling each flask with H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 to 220 mm Hg. Catalysis
of the reaction by the physical catalyst only yielded baseline
reaction curves.
[0098] The traditional physical platinum catalyst was augmented
with spectral catalyst platinum emissions from two (2) parallel
Fisher Scientific Hollow Cathode Platinum Lamps, as in Example 1.,
which were positioned 2 cm from flask A. This allowed the oxygen
and hydrogen gases, as well as the physical platinum catalyst, to
be irradiated with emissions from the spectral catalyst. Rate of
reaction, as measured by decrease in pressure, and after
controlling for temperature, increased up to 70% above the baseline
rate, with a mean increase in reaction rate of approximately
60%.
* * * * *