Chemical reactions in reverse micelle systems

Patent · Tue Aug 24 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:868895

Matson, Dean W ^[1]; Fulton, John L ^[2]; Smith, Richard D ^[2]; Consani, Keith A ^[2]

---

1. Kennewick, WA
2. Richland, WA

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.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Department of the Army
• DOE Contract Number: 2511006937
• Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute (Richland, WA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5238671
• Application Number: 07/274,558
• OSTI ID: 868895
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

chemical
reactions
reverse
micelle
systems
directed
conducting
microemulsion
comprising
substantially
discontinuous
phase
including
polar
fluid
typically
aqueous
promoter
surfactant
facilitating
formation
micelles
continuous
non-polar
low-polarity
material
gas
standard
temperature
pressure
critical
density
water-insoluble
near
supercritical
maintained
exceeds
method
carrying
comprises
forming
reactant
introduced
reaction
carried
form
product
incorporated
formed
capable
reacting
standard temperature
fluid material
low-polarity fluid
systems comprising
polar fluid
comprises forming
chemical reaction
reaction product
continuous phase
reverse micelle
chemical reactions
critical density
phase including
substantially continuous
near critical
product formed
microemulsion systems
micelle systems
aqueous fluid
conducting chemical
/423/516/