Aquanautics Corporation

Emory S De Castro

Bruce D Zenner

John Borland Kerr

Joseph P Ciccone

Larrie A Deardurff

Compositions of matter according to the present invention comprise a carrier compound immobilized in or on a solid phase. The carrier compound is reactive to bind a ligand such as molecular oxygen and includes a complex formed from a transition metal ion and a multidentate organic chelate. The solid phase is substantially immiscible in or separated from a ligand-containing environment, and the compositions are utilized by contacting the immobilized carrier compounds with the ligand-containing environment. Desirably, the compositions may be maintained in an inactive state (i.e., unable to bind ligand) where the transition metal ion is separated from the chelate. By allowing the complex to form at a preselected time, premature ligand binding can be avoided.

Methods, compositions, and systems for ligand extraction

Oxygen is extracted from a fluid mixture feedstock by circulating a carrier fluid from an oxygen loading station to an electrochemical cell. The carrier fluid includes a carrier compound capable of reversibly binding oxygen, with oxygen binding dependent on the oxidation state of the compound. Oxygen bound to the carrier compound in a first oxidation state is released as the oxidation state is altered at the first electrode of the electrochemical cell. The carrier compound is then returned to the first oxidation state at the second electrode at the electrochemical cell. The loading station typically comprises an oxygen-permeable membrane which prevents bulk mixing of the fluid mixture and the carrier fluid. By providing an electrocatalyst capable of rapid electron transfer and having an electropotential less than that of the carrier compound, without binding or otherwise interfering with the carrier compound, low energy electron transfer between the carrier compounds and the electrodes of the electrochemical cell is achieved.

Method and systems for extracting oxygen employing electrocatalysts

Methods and apparatus for the extraction of a ligand such as molecular oxygen from a first fluid environment and for release of a ligand such as molecular oxygen, as well as ligand carrier compounds therefor comprising linear, pentadentate polyalkylamines and transition metal ions. The carrier compounds have the general formula: ##STR1## where, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently an organic group including a sulfur, an oxygen or a nitrogen coordinated to M;

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Hercules, CA, United States of America

Emory S De Castro