Photoassisted heterogeneous catalysis with optical fibers: I. Isolated single fiber

TLDR: A cylindrical, light carrying, optical fiber coated with a catalyst layer is evaluated as a novel configuration for all such light assisted catalysis in this article, where an effectiveness factor eta/sub I/ for heterogeneous photo assisted catalysts is determined for reactions which are first order in intensity and without mass transport limitations.

Abstract: Recently reported varieties of photoassisted heterogeneous catalysts are summarized. A cylindrical, light carrying, optical fiber coated with a catalyst layer is evaluated as a novel configuration for all such light assisted catalysis. Equations are obtained which describe the light intensity in the fiber and its surrounding catalyst layer. A dimensionless group of the form phi = (4..cap alpha../sub c/..beta../sub c/dL)/(d/sub f/) (d = d/sub c/ for d/sub c/lambda) determines the relative influence of light loss by all absorption and scattering to light transported in the fiber length. An effectiveness factor eta/sub I/ for heterogeneous photoassisted catalysis is determined for reactions which are first order in intensity and without mass transport limitations. Asymptotic forms of eta/sub I/ are eta/sub I/ = 1.0 (phi > ..integral..1.0). 58 references.