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

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 Φ = (4αcβcdL)/(df) [d = dc for dc < λ, d = 0(λ) for dc > λ] determines the relative influence of light loss by all absorption and scattering to light transported in the fiber length. An effectiveness factor ηI for heterogeneous photoassisted catalysis is determined for reactions which are first order in intensity and without mass transport limitations. Asymptotic forms of ηI are ηI = 1.0 (Φ ≪ 1.0) and ηI = Φ−1 (Φ ≫ 1.0).