US5238671A
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Chemical reactions in reverse micelle systems
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-22
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2008-11-22
Abstract
Abstract This invention is directed to conducting chemical reactions in reverse micelle or microemulsion systems comprising a substantially discontinuous phase including a polar fluid, typically an aqueous fluid, and a microemulsion promoter, typically a surfactant, for facilitating the formation of reverse micelles in the system. The system further includes a substantially continuous phase including a non-polar or low-polarity fluid material which is a gas under standard temperature and pressure and has a critical density, and which is generally a water-insoluble fluid in a near critical or supercritical state. Thus, the microemulsion system is maintained at a pressure and temperature such that the density of the non-polar or low-polarity fluid exceeds the critical density thereof. The method of carrying out chemical reactions generally comprises forming a first reverse micelle system including an aqueous fluid including reverse micelles in a water-insoluble fluid in the supercritical state. Then, a first reactant is introduced into the first reverse micelle system, and a chemical reaction is carried out with the first reactant to form a reaction product. In general, the first reactant can be incorporated into, and the product formed in, the reverse micelles. A second reactant can also be incorporated in the first reverse micelle system which is capable of reacting with the first reactant to form a product.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean W. Matson
- 👤 John L. Fulton
- 👤 Richard D. Smith
- 👤 Keith A. Consani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61K; A61K9/00; A61K9/10; A61K9/107; A61K9/1075; B; B01; B01D; B01D11/00; B01D11/02; B01D11/0203; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/04; B01F23/043; B01F23/40; B01F23/41; B01F23/4105; B01F23/414; B01F23/4143; B01J; B01J10/00; B01J10/002; B01J3/00; B01J3/008; C; C01; C01B; C01B13/00; C01B13/14; C01B13/32; C01B13/328; C01B33/00; C01B33/113; C01B33/12; C01B33/16; C01B33/163; C01F; C01F7/00; C01F7/02; C01F7/34; C01G; C01G3/00; C01G3/02; C01G5/00; C01G5/02; C08; C08F; C08F2/00; C08F2/32; C09; C09K; C09K23/00; C09K23/02; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00049; B01J2219/00051; B01J2219/00054; B01J2219/00056; B01J2219/00058; B01J2219/00065; B01J2219/00191; C01P; C01P2004/00; C01P2004/01; C01P2004/03; C01P2004/60; C01P2004/61; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/54; Y10; Y10S; Y10S516/00; Y10S516/924; Y10S516/925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of carrying out chemical reactions which comprises forming a first reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion system comprising a first polar fluid, in a second fluid which is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and has a critical density, said second fluid being in a state in which the density of said second fluid exceeds said critical density, and including reverse micelles or reverse microemulsions; introducing a first reactant to said first system; and carrying out a chemical reaction with said first reactant to form a reaction product.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of carrying out chemical reactions which comprises forming a first reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion system comprising a first polar fluid, in a second fluid which is a gas at standard temperature and pressure and has a critical density, said second fluid being in a state in which the density of said second fluid exceeds said critical density, and including reverse micelles or reverse microemulsions; introducing a first reactant to said first system; and carrying out a chemical reaction with said first reactant to form a reaction product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, which includes the step of incorporating said first reactant in the reverse micelles or reverse microemulsion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, which includes the step of forming said product in the reverse micelles or reverse microemulsion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1, which includes the further step of adding a second reactant to said first system, said second reactant being capable of reacting with said first reactant to form a product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said second reactant is capable of diffusing into or out of said reverse micelles or reverse microemulsions for conducting said chemical reaction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, which includes the step of introducing an energy source into said first system for either one of initiating and driving said chemical reaction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, which includes the step of incorporating said first reactant into said water-insoluble fluid for conducting said chemical reaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7, which includes the step of incorporating a chemical catalyst into said system for initiating said chemical reaction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first reactant is a water soluble salt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said product is insoluble in water, in the supercritical fluid, or in the water and the supercritical fluid, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said reverse micelles comprise an aqueous fluid and a surfactant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first reactant is aluminum nitrate, and said second reactant is ammonia, and said reaction product comprises submicron particles of aluminum hydroxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1, which includes the further step of incorporating a second reactant into a second system comprising a polar fluid in a non-polar or low-polarity fluid in the supercritical or near critical state; and adding said second system to said first system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said first reactant comprises one of a water-soluble salt, an acidic material and a basic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said second reactant comprises one of a water-soluble salt, an acidic material and a basic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said first reactant is sodium hydroxide, and said second reactant is copper nitrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said polar phase comprises an aqueous fluid and a surfactant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said second reactant comprises said supercritical or near critical fluid.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of carrying out a chemical reaction, which comprises forming a reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion system comprising an aqueous fluid in a water-insoluble fluid in the supercritical state; incorporating a first reactant in said system; and adding a second reactant to said system, said second reactant being water-soluble and being capable of diffusing into said reverse micelles or reverse microemulsion and carrying out a reaction with said first reactant to form a reaction product.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of carrying out a chemical reaction, which comprises forming a reverse micelle or reverse microemulsion system comprising an aqueous fluid in a water-insoluble fluid in the supercritical state; incorporating a first reactant in said system; and adding a second reactant to said system, said second reactant being water-soluble and being capable of diffusing into said reverse micelles or reverse microemulsion and carrying out a reaction with said first reactant to form a reaction product.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said chemical reactions will form a product in said reverse micelles or reverse microemulsion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for carrying out a chemical reaction, which comprises forming a reverse micelle microemulsion system comprising a first substantially continuous phase including a low-polarity fluid material which is a gas under standard temperature and pressure and has a critical density, and a second substantially discontinuous phase including a polar fluid and a microemulsion or micelle promoter for facilitating the formation of reverse micelles or a reverse microemulsion in said first phase; maintaining the system at a pressure and temperature such that the density of the low-polarity fluid exceeds the critical density thereof; forming reverse micelles or a reverse microemulsion in said second phase; introducing a first reactant into said microemulsion system; and carrying out a chemical reaction with said first reactant to form a reaction product.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for carrying out a chemical reaction, which comprises forming a reverse micelle microemulsion system comprising a first substantially continuous phase including a low-polarity fluid material which is a gas under standard temperature and pressure and has a critical density, and a second substantially discontinuous phase including a polar fluid and a microemulsion or micelle promoter for facilitating the formation of reverse micelles or a reverse microemulsion in said first phase; maintaining the system at a pressure and temperature such that the density of the low-polarity fluid exceeds the critical density thereof; forming reverse micelles or a reverse microemulsion in said second phase; introducing a first reactant into said microemulsion system; and carrying out a chemical reaction with said first reactant to form a reaction product.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 21, wherein said reaction is conducted at a temperature at least equal to the supercritical temperature of said fluid material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 21, wherein said promoter comprises a surfactant which is substantially soluble in said second phase.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 21, wherein said fluid material is at least one lower alkane.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 24, wherein said lower alkane is at least one of ethane, propane and butane.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said second fluid comprises a non-polar fluid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said second fluid is in a supercritical state.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said second fluid in said system comprises a supercritical fluid.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said second fluid in said system comprises a liquid under pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |