MOBILE ATOM INSERTION REACTION, MOBILE ATOM TRANSMISSIVE MEMBRANE FOR CARRYING OUT THE REACTION AND REACTOR INCORPORATING THE MOBILE ATOM TRANSMISSIVE MEMBRANE

摘要

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREDisclosed is a method of carrying out amobile atom insertion reaction, such as a hydrogeninsertion reaction, for the synthesis of reduced,hydrogenated compounds. Such reactions include theproduction of ammonia and hydrazine from nitrogen,formic acid and methanol from carbon dioxide, andhydrogen peroxide from oxygen. The insertionreactions are carried out at a bipolar mobile atomtransmissive membrane comprising a membrane formed ofa mobile atom pump material, as a hydrogen pumpmaterial, conductive atom transmissive means on onesurface of the membrane and conductive atomtransmissive means on the opposite surface of themembrane. The mobile atom, such as hydrogen, diffusesacross the membrane, to provide a source of hydrogenon the insertion reaction side of the membrane. Theinsertion reaction side of the membrane is positivelybiased with respect to a counterelectrode so that areactant molecule, such as carbon dioxide, iselectrosorbed on that surface of the membrane. Theelectrosorbed reactant molecule chemically reacts withthe surface hydrogen by the insertion reaction to forma reduced, hydrogenated product such as formic acid.Also disclosed is a chemical reactor, containing themembrane, and several electric field assisted chemicalreactions utilizing the membrane and reactor.