Catalytic extraction of stored solar energy from photochemicals

Abstract

Acid and base catalyst substances are employed in the photochemical process for collection and retrieval of solar energy wherein a lower energy level isomer (e.g. trans-isomer) of a photochemical isomerizable compound is exposed to solar energy of a wavelength providing a higher energy level isomer (e.g. cis-isomer) of this isomerizable compound and this higher energy level isomer subsequently is transformed to its lower energy level isomer with exothermic release of thermal energy for useful purposes. In this process the transforming or conversion of the higher energy level isomer to its lower energy level isomer is facilitated by the presence of and/or contacting with the acid or base catalyst substance. The employed catalytic acid, or base, or mixture of acids, or mixture of bases are characterized by being art accepted strong acids or strong bases under either the Bronsted or Lewis concepts of acids and bases in the fluid in which transformation to the lower energy level isomer is carried forth and also characterized as being compatible with the particular fluid and photoisomerizable compound with which they are employed. The employed acids or bases are useful in a diversity of amounts and a diversity of forms and configurations.