Lemelson, Jerome H.;

Chemical reaction

An apparatus and method for reacting on matter with shock waves which are directed through or against said matter. In a preferred form, the shock waves are generated intermittently for an extended period of time, during which time the work is subjected to the high temperatures and pressures of the shock waves. Both chemical and physical changes may be effected in the material reacted on by the shock waves. Where a plurality of shock waves are directed against the same matter to progressively change same, the apparatus includes means for amplifying the shock waves to increase the intensity of the individual waves and enhance or improve the reactive effects. Both chemical and physical changes in matter are effected by means of the shock waves which may be generated intermittently by one or more means including the discharge of intense sparks in a fluid medium which comprises or is disposed coupled to the material to be worked by the shock waves, the direction of intense pulses of laser light or electron beam energy into the fluid or solid medium to be worked or coupled thereto and, in certain instances, the intermittent compression of a fluid by means of a piston or other device. The matter to be reacted on may be disposed within the column or chamber in which the shock waves are generated or in direct alignment with the end of such a column or chamber. In a particular form of the invention, a plurality of shock waves are simultaneously generated and directed against matter which is compressed by the shock waves as they advance toward each other.

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I claim:

1. A method for creating a chemical reaction comprising:

subjecting a quantity of a chemical to the heat and pressure of a plurality of shock waves, each of which shock waves define a transient, narrow band of intense radiation and directing each of said shock waves and the intense radiation thereof through a shock wave conducting medium to a reaction zone containing said chemical whereby said shock waves serve to temporarily raise the temperature of the chemical in the reaction zone a sufficient degree to effect a predetermined change in the composition of said chemical, and when said predetermined change occurs, removing the products of reaction from said reaction zone.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 including generating a plurality of shock waves and directing said plurality of shock waves into said reaction zone along substantially the same path to successively and intermittently intersect, heat and react on said chemical for an extended period of time.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 including simultaneously directing said plurality of shock waves along different paths wherein said chemical is simultaneously subjected to said plurality of shock waves directed along said different paths.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein multiple shock waves are generated and directed along each of said plurality of paths and said chemical is subjected to a plurality of said shock waves directed along each of said different paths.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein a plurality of shock waves are simultaneously generated and directed along each of respective of a plurality of different paths which intersect in said reaction zone.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said chemical is a solid particulate material, further including disposing the particles thereof in a fluid and subjecting said fluid to said shock waves.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said said chemical comprises a plurality of particles which are compressed and heated by said shock wave.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said chemical is a fluid disposed in a working region of a reaction chamber and said shock waves are directed to converge on said fluid in said working region.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said shock wave is generated by discharging an electric arc across electrodes disposed in the medium in which said shock wave is generated.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein said electrodes are disposed in a fluid in which said chemical is contained.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said chemical is disposed within a cavity formed in solid material and the shock wave is generated and directed along a path whereby it enters said cavity and compresses said chemical against the walls of said cavity.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said cavity has inwardly tapered walls to cause the shock wave directed therein to converge on said matter disposed therein.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said chemical is a liquid held in a container and said shock wave is directed into said container and against said liquid therein to react on said liquid by heating and compressing same.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein said chemical is in movement through said container as it is reacted on by said shock wave.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein amplification of the shock wave generated is effected.

16. A method for reacting on matter comprising:

generating a plurality of shock waves at a fixed frequency and tandemly directing said plurality of shock waves in sequence along a predetermined path to cause said shock waves to intersect matter in a reaction zone of a reaction chamber into which chamber said shock waves are caused to travel and, as said shock waves are intermittently generated and directed along said predetermined path, predeterminately flowing matter to be reacted on into and out of said reaction zone in a manner to present different quantities of said matter to the intense heat of said shock waves.