REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND LIQUIDS WITH PLASMA AND ITS METHOD OF USE

Description

1 / 20 REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND LIQUIDS WITH PLASMA AND ITS METHOD OF USE PRESENTATION AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This patent description refers to a novel method and device for producing plasma-activated liquids for general applications, introducing a new concept of plasma reactor that allows the formation of an arc between the live electrode and the liquid surface in a submerged air bubble, which can be formed by a minimum air / gas flow, with this air / gas flow being able to be produced by simple air pumps. This device and its method of operation are primarily intended for use in the chemical industry, in the sectors of water and wastewater treatment, fish farming, agriculture, cosmetics, among others. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART AND ITS PROBLEMS

[002] The concept of plasma-activated water (PAW) is quite recent, but it already has many recognized studies and applications in various fields. Depending on how it is obtained, plasma-activated water can present unique characteristics, such as low pH value, high hydrogen peroxide content, presence of nitrites and nitrates, ozone permeation, among others. These characteristics make PAW an excellent tool for various applications, such as accelerating plant germination and nutrition, bacterial and fungal cleaning and disinfection, replacement of reagents such as acids and peroxides as well as solvents in various chemical reactions, catalysis of chemical and physical processes in industrial processes, among others [1].

[003] One of the great advantages of PAW, when used to replace other chemical products, with acids, peroxides and solvents, whatever its application, is its total absence of damage to the environment when discarded.Furthermore, studies show that PAW presents no toxicity to humans. Among the main applications of Plasma-Activated Water (PAW), or more generically Plasma-Activated Liquids (PAL), the following stand out: 1. Disinfection and Sterilization: PAW demonstrates effectiveness in eliminating pathogenic microorganisms. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 10 / 39 2. Antimicrobial: It can be used to combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making it an alternative for disinfecting surfaces, environments, and even treating drinking water; 2. Agriculture: It can be used in agriculture to control pests and diseases, reducing dependence on chemicals that are harmful to the environment; 3. Wound Treatment: It has the potential to accelerate the healing process and prevent infections in wounds, due to its antimicrobial properties; 4. Food Industry: It can be used in the decontamination of food, helping to extend shelf life and ensure food safety; 5. Wastewater Treatment: Used for wastewater treatment, PAW can contribute to the removal of pollutants and pathogens present in residential, hospital, and industrial effluents.

[004] An intrinsic characteristic of PAW, however, is its instability, that is, the short lifespan of the active species that give rise to its properties of interest. Studies show that PAW begins to lose its properties (or its strength) from the first minutes after its production, while some characteristics, such as low pH, and levels of peroxides and nitrates / nitrites, can be maintained for hours or even a few days. This is the main factor that makes the industrialization and packaging of PAW unfeasible, preventing its large-scale supply to various sectors and the general population. Currently, only applications restricted to locations very close to the PAW production site are possible, such as in laboratories, for example.

[005] To solve this problem, much still needs to be developed in the field of plasma-activated water generators. The main challenge is to develop efficient generators where the cost-benefit ratio meets specific applications. Only very recently have the first commercial PAW generators been launched by the Dutch company Vitafluid (https: / / vitalfluid.com). These generators aim to meet high value-added laboratory and industrial applications, i.e., they are high-cost, complex generators with specific infrastructure requirements and trained personnel for operation. Therefore, there is still a significant gap in the supply of small, low-cost, and low-complexity generators that could popularize the application of PAW in various sectors of the economy, as well as in domestic use. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 11 / 39 3 / 20

[006] A plasma-activated water generator consists of two main components: the electrical power source and the plasma reactor. The sources can be high-voltage direct current, alternating current, or pulsed current, or even based on radio frequency or microwaves. The reactors can be based on fixed arcs, sliding arcs, plasma jets, corona discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, thermal plasma torches, among others. Each generator, with its combination of source + reactor + accessories (such as gas injection, heater, cooling, etc.) is capable of producing PAW with unique properties, in some cases lowering the pH to a value close to 1 or increasing the pH above 8, containing varying concentrations of ozone, nitrates, peroxides, among others [1].

[007] According to the form of interaction between plasma and water, PAW reactors can be divided into the following categories [1]: I) Gas Electrical Discharge: Involves the passage of an electrical discharge through a gas, resulting in the production of reactive species that are subsequently injected and dissolved in the water; II) Surface Electrical Discharge: Plasma is generated at the interface between the gas and the liquid surface, resulting in the activation of the water; III) Submergence Electrical Discharge: In this method, the electrical discharge occurs directly in the water (or liquid), generating reactive species that activate the water.

[008] Among the simplest processes for PAW production, the Pin-to-Liquid method (known by the English term Pin-to-Liquid, or by the acronym PTL) stands out, being one of the Surface Electrical Discharge techniques (category II). In this method, one of the electrodes, usually the energized electrode (called the live electrode), is formed by a metal pin, positioned in the air a few millimeters from the water surface, while the second electrode (usually the ground electrode) is submerged in the water. The discharge (plasma) in the form of an electric arc forms in the air connecting the pin to the water surface. The interaction between the arc and the liquid is then responsible for creating chemical and physical species that activate the water or liquid in question. Among the advantages of PTL are the simplicity of reactor assembly, use of atmospheric conditions, low power source requirements, and ease of operation.These advantages were essential in enabling the emergence of the first commercial prototypes of solar generators. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 12 / 39 4 / 20 small-scale plasma generator by the same Dutch company, Vitalfluid (https: / / vitalfluid.com / paw-lab-unit). However, among the disadvantages of generators based on the Pin-to-Liquid method, the following can be highlighted: i) loss of energy species produced in the atmosphere; ii) thermodynamic loss, i.e., loss of heat supplied by the arc to the atmosphere; iii) loss of liquid / water mass due to localized heating of the liquid at the surface with the air, causing a high evaporation rate; iv) uncontrolled variation in the distance between the pin and the liquid surface (mainly due to mass loss) causing the arc to become unstable, requiring an additional automated mechanical system for distance control and correction; v) lack of safety in operation (arc is in open air), requiring system enclosure; vi) production of ozone, nitrous oxide, and other toxic species in the open atmosphere, requiring additional passivation and exhaust systems.These disadvantages, coupled with its low efficiency, make the PTL technique limited to the production of low volumes of PAW, rendering it impractical for large-scale production or large-scale applications.

[009] Some patent documents address systems and methods for producing plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL), using different plasma reactor configurations.

[0010] For example, document US11735399B2 describes a method and system for activating liquids using plasma based on non-thermal plasma, which activates a thin liquid layer by dielectric barrier discharge. The method is only capable of treating small quantities of liquids because it needs to be applied to a surface with a thin liquid layer.

[0011] Document US20160102025A1 describes an apparatus to be used as a basis for applications of existing technologies for the activation of water or liquids with plasma, but it does not specify a particular form of interaction between the plasma and the water or liquid. The type of plasma to be used is that which is already established in the literature. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 13 / 39 5 / 20

[0012] Document BR102022013197A2 presents a prototype of an automated activated water generator based on a pin-to-liquid reactor already known in the literature. The generator has compact characteristics, but is complex and entirely focused on the production of activated water rich in nitrogenous species for application in agriculture.

[0013] Document US10669169B2 describes a generic reactor for activating water with different types of thermal or non-thermal plasmas. It is basically a description of a gas and water feed system in a reservoir that can be configured to generate different types of plasmas.

[0014] More generally, the state of the art of existing technologies for PAW and PAL production can be obtained from the review article entitled Plasma-Activated Water: Physicochemical Properties, Generation Techniques, and Applications [2]. This article provides an updated review of all existing plasma-activated water and liquid activation technologies and presents an overview of all existing and potential applications. The article presents all forms, geometries, and configurations already tested, studied, and patented in the area of ​​plasma-activated liquid production. It presents all the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, presenting current state-of-the-art results. None of the methods presented in this article mentions the activation method targeted by our patent, reinforcing the novelty and importance of the patent presented here.

[0015] Despite the advances, there is still no concrete proposal for a method, device, reactor, or system that would enable the production of a small-scale, mobile, simple, low-cost, and low-maintenance PAW or PAL generator for the efficient production of plasma-activated water, which would be especially beneficial for the popularization of PAW in various sectors of the economy and also for domestic use. In particular, none of the proposals present the possibility of activating the plasma water in situ, simply by immersing the reactor directly in the tank, pool, aquarium, water tank, or other containers. On the contrary, all systems require a complex apparatus for feeding or inserting water into the generator. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 14 / 39 6 / 20 Additionally, none of the proposed methods or devices are capable of forming an autonomous operating system, far from any source of electrical energy or gases, using only renewable energy sources such as solar panels. This last possibility is of crucial importance for advances in the area of ​​water and wastewater treatment in locations without infrastructure. All these limitations are due to the use of conventional plasma water activation methods and devices.

[0016] The overall objective of the present invention is to present a new method and device for producing plasma-activated water (PAW) that overcomes all the limitations and problems highlighted above. Furthermore, its versatility opens up several other possibilities, including the activation of liquids other than water, i.e., the production of plasma-activated liquids (PAL). The specific objectives are detailed below. General overview of the solution and its objectives.

[0017] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for activating water and liquids with plasma with greater efficiency and simplicity, allowing the construction of low-cost generators with characteristics that combine the benefits of generators from categories I) Gas Electrical Discharge and II) Surface Electrical Discharge: I and II, but maintaining the simplicity of the PTL (Pin-to-Liquid) method as a basis.

[0018] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for activating water and liquids with plasma with high levels of active chemical species, whose concentration can be easily controlled by the process time.

[0019] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for activating water and liquids in plasma, giving rise to a new concept of plasma reactor that allows the formation of an arc between the live electrode (pin) and the liquid surface in a submerged air bubble, significantly increasing the degree of activation of this liquid. This new concept of plasma reactor was named Submerged Pin-to-Liquid, abbreviated as SPL by the inventors.

[0020] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for activating water and liquids in plasma, in which the air or gas bubble formed to create the submerged electric arc can be formed by a minimum flow of air / gas (Ar, He, Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 15 / 39 7 / 20 O2, etc., or a combination thereof), which can be produced by simple air pumps, such as those used in aquariums, compressors, pressurized gas cylinders, among others. This versatility of the present invention allows for the construction of a low-cost system that is simple to assemble and operate, and requires low maintenance. Another key point regarding the versatility of the invention is the scalable capacity of the system, allowing its application to both small and large volumes of liquids.

[0021] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for activating water and liquids with plasma, where the distance between the active electrode (pin) and the water / liquid surface remains constant under all conditions, with use at different depths and different volumes of liquid, giving the electric arc and the activation process a stationary condition without the need for any external adjustment or control.

[0022] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for the production of plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL) in which reactive species, including ozone, nitrous oxide, among others, produced in the atmosphere near the electric arc are forcibly injected and bubbled into the liquid, increasing the degree of activation of the water, while passivating the air / gas eliminated throughout the process, dispensing with the use of exhausters and passivators;

[0023] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for activating plasma-activated water liquids in which the heat generated in the atmosphere around the electric arc is used to catalyze the activation process of the water / liquid, slightly heating the water / liquid in the region near the reactor.

[0024] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for producing plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL) that has low power source requirements, enabling the production of simple generators that can be assembled using low-cost parts, components and power sources that are readily available on the national and international market.

[0025] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for producing plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL) that utilizes Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 16 / 39 8 / 20 is a simple system for admitting and controlling the atmosphere in which the electric arc is formed, allowing the admission of various types of gases, which makes it possible to obtain PAW and PAL with different characteristics.

[0026] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for producing plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL) that does not require additional external agitation for homogenization of the liquid being activated. This is possible through air / gas bubbling inside the reactor, intrinsic to the proposed method.

[0027] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for producing plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL) that does not require (but allows) additional external cooling to limit or control the temperature of the liquid during activation. This is possible because the reactor can operate with small and large volumes of liquid, which acts as a heat reservoir for the process, limiting the variation in the local liquid temperature to a few degrees.

[0028] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for activating water and liquids with plasma that allows the process to be carried out in enclosed or non-enclosed environments, with or without temperature and pressure control, and even allows operation under high pressures, such as pressurized pipelines, or in vacuum containers, at very low pressures.

[0029] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for activating water and liquids with plasma that enables the treatment of water and effluents in situ, simply by immersing the reactor directly in the tank, pool, aquarium, water tank, or other containers, without any risk to the health of people, animals or any living species in this environment.

[0030] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for producing plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL) that can also operate autonomously, away from any electrical power source or gas sources, using only renewable energy sources such as solar panels. This is made possible by its simplicity, high efficiency, and low operating power. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 17 / 39 9 / 20

[0031] The present invention aims to propose a new method and device for the production of plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL) that is scalable by simply multiplying reactors, electrodes, and power source. The reactors can be arranged in series or in parallel with the power sources to amplify their action in large volumes. Furthermore, the method and device proposed in the invention allow the creation of reactors with multiple electrodes that can be combined with multi-channel and / or high-power sources.

[0032] Finally, the present invention aims to propose a new method and device for the production of plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquids (PAL) that can democratize access to plasma-activated water by increasing process efficiency, and especially by enabling the emergence of simple, low-cost, and scalable PAW generators. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The following are descriptions of each figure that accompany this patent application. The figures, photos and drawings are illustrative and not limiting. Figure 1: a) Schematic drawing demonstrating the operation of the SPL reactor, and indicating its main parts, in which the liquid (or water) is represented by the light blue color; b) Schematic drawing of the reactor indicating the main dimensions to be described in the text; Figure 2: Possible variants of the device (reactor): composed of a live multi-pointed electrode (9); and a reactor containing multiple independent live electrodes (10); Figure 3: Photos of the reactor in operation, using a low-cost electrical power source; Figure 4: Graphs of voltage, current, and power applied to the reactor for its operation; Figure 5: Time sequence of photos from the methylene blue degradation experiment using a 100 ml capacity prototype; Figure 6: Examples of possible embodiments of the invention in different types of plasma-activated water generators, or liquid treatment systems in general. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 18 / 39 10 / 20 taking into account the possibilities of applications and the different demands of each sector. In (a) the internal batch configuration is presented; in (b) the continuous flow configuration is presented; and in (c) the in situ activation configuration is presented; Figure 7: Examples of possible embodiments of the invention from the application of the reactor in situ configuration taking into account the different types of electrical energy sources. In (a) the standard configuration using the local electrical grid is shown (13); in (b) the configuration using batteries is shown (17); in (c) the configuration using renewable energy is shown (18); in (d) the configuration of a floating autonomous system with buoys is shown (19). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The invention presented here as “REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND LIQUIDS WITH PLASMA AND ITS METHOD OF USE” is a new method associated with a new device for producing plasma-activated water, or PAW, and plasma-activated liquids, or PAL, with low complexity and low production, operation and maintenance costs, and high efficiency when compared with conventional methods and devices.

[0035] The new plasma-liquid interaction method proposed here combines two other known forms of plasma-liquid activation: I) plasma generated in gas and subsequently bubbled into the liquid; and II) plasma generated at the liquid / gas interface. This combination, in addition to increasing process efficiency, solves intrinsic problems of reactors based on a single conventional form of plasma-liquid interaction.

[0036] The new plasma activation method for water and liquids is named by the inventors as Submerged Pin-to-Liquid, or SPL. The method was created from an intelligent, innovative, and very simple design of the device of this invention, the plasma reactor, here called the SPL reactor, which allows plasma activation to occur through the formation of an electric arc in a submerged air / gas bubble, the length of which is constant and self-controlled by the bubbling of this air / gas through the orifices of the device. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 19 / 39 11 / 20

[0037] The SPL reactor (1) consists of an open body (2) into which a continuous flow of air, gas or vapor is inserted through a channel (3). Even when fully submerged in a liquid, the air / gas flow causes an air / gas pocket to form inside the reactor body, in which the liquid level is controlled by orifices (4) that allow continuous bubbling (5) of air / gas in the liquid out of the reactor. The live electrode (6), also called the pin, is located in this air / gas pocket. The ground electrode (7) is located externally to the body, in direct contact with the liquid, surrounding the entire reactor (1). When fully operational using electrical energy, an electric arc (8) is formed between the pin (6) and the surface of the water or liquid inside the air / gas pocket. Figure 1 shows the drawings of the device (reactor) for better understanding.

[0038] The body (2) of the SPL reactor must be produced in an electrically insulating, inert, airtight material, resistant to high temperatures, and with minimum mechanical strength to support the fixing of the metal electrodes (6), (7) and the formation of the air / gas pocket. Good examples would be thermoplastics, glass and ceramics.

[0039] The air / gas flow to the reactor can be made from a simple air compressor (such as an aquarium pump, for example), or from pressurized sources of gases or vapors, or even from mixtures of gases and / or vapors. While causing the so-called gas pocket in the reactor (1) and its continuous renewal, where plasma is formed, the air / gas flow significantly increases the degree of activation of the liquid by forcing the air / gas activated by the electric arc to permeate and dissolve its active species in the liquid. In addition, the bubbling (5) of this air / gas out of the reactor and directly into the liquid significantly helps in the homogenization and distribution of the active species generated in the liquid by the movement of this liquid around the reactor.Propeller-shaped fins, as well as grids, may or may not be added to the outside of the reactor body, just above the triangular holes (4) to increase residence time, decrease bubble size and create additional vortex motion in the liquid by bubbling.

[0040] In addition to the body, the electrodes (6), (7) are integral parts of the reactor design. As can be seen in Figure 1, there are 2 electrodes: the first being a central pin (6) or several pins, configuring the live electrode, in which the Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 20 / 39 12 / 20 plasma will be produced. The second electrode is the ground (7), in direct contact with the water, and may or may not be arranged in a ring shape, through which the electrical circuit is closed. The design is such that the live electrode (6) can be adjusted in relation to its distance from the water surface. This is important for adjusting the power source requirements and also for producing different types of arcs at different power levels with different voltage-current characteristics.

[0041] Regarding the dimensions of the SPL reactor, the requirements are minimal, meaning there is a wide range to be explored for the scale and values ​​of each dimension shown in Figure 1. Where: dimension (A) represents the width of the neck of the body (2); dimension (B) represents the length of the neck of the body (2); dimension (C) represents the height of the “inverted cup” of the body (2); dimension (D) is the internal diameter of the “inverted cup” of the body (2); dimension (E) represents the distance between the lower end of the live electrode (6) and the upper end of the orifice (4) during reactor operation (1); dimension (F) is the height of the orifice (4); dimension (G) is the width of the orifice.The most important thing is to ensure that the live electrode (6) is always in a dry environment and at a minimum distance (E) required from the liquid surface during reactor operation, so that the air / gas dielectric barrier is broken and the electric arc (plasma) is established between the pin and the liquid surface. This will depend on several factors, with the liquid conductivity, the dielectric constant of the gas used, and the characteristics of the power source being the most important. Table 1 presents the reasonable distance ranges for each dimension for the manufacture of the SPL reactor, but these values ​​should not be limiting. Table 1: Range of values ​​for the dimensions of the SPL reactor (see Figure 1). Dimension Minimum Value (mm) Maximum Value (mm) Ratios A < 5 > 100 B < 20 > 1000 C < 20 > 200 C > ED < 20 > 200 D > EE < 1 > 100 E < C, <D Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 21 / 39 13 / 20 F < 1 > 50 F « G, < D, <C G < 1 >50 G « F, < D, <C

[0042] Figure 2 presents some variants of the reactor device proposed in this invention. One of them is the possibility of altering the geometry of the live electrode or pin (6) as in a fork configuration (9), with multiple points. Another possibility is the design of a reactor with several independent live electrodes (10), each of which can be connected to a different channel of a power source, or connected to different power sources. With regard to the body (2) of the reactor (1), this can be of varied shape, not necessarily the shape of the drawings and diagrams presented. The invention deals with the method and device that is capable of generating an electrical discharge in a pocket of air or gas submerged in water or liquid, whatever the design of the reactor (1).

[0043] Figure 3 shows photos of the reactor (1) target of this invention in operation. The operation of the reactor, as conceived, required only a low-cost, high-voltage power source with high simplicity of operation. It also required a compressed air source supplied, in this construction of the reactor (1), by a simple aquarium air pump. The construction of the reactor prototype required only a 3D printer, PETG filament and pieces of stainless steel wire to compose the electrodes.

[0044] Figure 4 presents the graphs of voltage, current, and power characteristic of the reactor's operation with the power source used. The graphs were obtained using an oscilloscope, in this case a Tecktronix TDS-210, installed to measure the voltage and current applied to the reactor by the power source during operation. The average power, or RMS, is obtained by integrating the product of voltage and current over one oscillation period multiplied by the frequency, resulting in a value close to 38 W, which is consistent with the value read directly from the primary DC consumption of the power source, which oscillated around 40 W during operation. With this power value and the operating time, it is possible to determine the total energy expenditure of each liquid activation process and then calculate the energy efficiency of activation and / or production of a given species. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 22 / 39 14 / 20

[0045] Preliminary tests on early prototypes show that the new SPL reactor has a volumetric efficiency 5 times greater than the conventional PTL reactor in terms of pH reduction. Furthermore, the new SPL reactor showed surprising effectiveness in the production of Hydrogen Peroxide, or H2O2, when compared to all other known plasma water activation techniques [1]. When compared to the conventional PTL technique, the new SPL reactor shows a volumetric efficiency 100 to 1000 times greater in H2O2 production, using the same source and similar operating parameters. In terms of energy, the energy efficiency of H2O2 production reaches 5.0 g / kWh, which is only about 10 times lower than the efficiency obtained by the most efficient H2O2 production technology, based on an electrochemical process using a porous activated carbon electrode permeated with an oxygen flow.

[0046] Table 2 presents the results obtained by 2 prototypes of PAW generators using the SPL reactor targeted by this invention patent, each prototype with a batch production capacity of 100 ml and 300 ml. For comparison, tests were carried out under the same conditions using a conventional generator based on the PTL reactor, with a capacity of 20 ml, assembled with the same power source used in the prototypes. Table 2: Results of SPL prototype tests compared to a conventional PTL generator. Initial water pH = 7. Generator Time (min) pH Range Reached H2O2 Concentration (ppm) Prototype SPL 100 ml 10 3 30 - 100 30 2 > 200 Prototype SPL 300 ml 10 4 30 - 100 30 3 > 100 Generator PTL 20 ml 10 3 < 1 30 2 1 - 5 Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 23 / 39 15 / 20

[0047] Organic matter degradation tests were also performed using a 10 mg / l methylene blue solution in deionized water. The process involved the reactor acting directly on a 100 ml solution, and the time it took for the water to become completely transparent, i.e., with degradation greater than 99%, was timed. As can be seen in Figure 5, the clearing process was identified from the 10th minute, becoming completely transparent at the 25th minute. This test used a simple, low-cost power source, consuming an average power of 30 W during the process. The estimated energy consumption for the decontamination process in this case is 0.012 kWh, far lower than that obtained by any other plasma water activation method, and even half the energy consumption estimated for boiling the same quantity of water, approximately 0.02 kWh.This shows that the SPL reactor, the subject of this patent application, in addition to being highly efficient in the degradation of organic matter, can be installed in autonomous systems powered by solar panels, for example. This is of great importance to the swimming pool, fish farming, agriculture, and water treatment sectors in general.

[0048] When compared to other forms of water plasma activation, the SPL reactor (1) demonstrates significant superiority in terms of energy efficiency, simplicity and cost. One of the main advantages of the SPL reactor is the possibility of using simpler, safer and widely available high-voltage sources on the market, in addition to being very low cost and not requiring forced cooling. These sources can be direct current DC, or alternating current AC at any frequency, which facilitates implementation and reduces operating costs. In contrast, techniques such as dielectric barrier discharge, or DBD, and microwave activation require specialized and expensive high-voltage sources. In the case of DBD, sources that provide voltages above 10 or even above 20 kV are needed, with fine frequency adjustment ranging from 1 kHz to hundreds of kHz.Furthermore, these sources require precise control and more complex electronic components, increasing the cost and complexity of the system. There are also safety considerations, as working with such high voltages requires rigorous protocols to avoid the risk of electric shock. Microwave-generated plasma systems, on the other hand, require power supplies and cavities. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 24 / 39 16 / 20 specific microwave sources, which are high-cost and technically complex. These cavities need to be precisely designed to maintain a stable plasma, and microwave sources are less accessible and more expensive than the high-voltage sources used in the SPL reactor. This limits the scalability and adaptability of these systems for different water volumes or applications.

[0049] A test was performed with a prototype submerged in a tank containing 5 liters of water with a live electrode in a specific position relative to the water level. It was found that after 45 minutes of operation at 30 W of power, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, already exceeded 25 ppm, while the pH only decreased from 7 to 6.5. Thus, it was found that the method / device of the present invention can operate in a way that minimizes the impact on pH, maintaining high efficiency in the production of highly oxidizing species, such as hydrogen peroxide, in large volumes of water using low power. This result may be interesting in applications such as aquarium production and treatment, decontamination of organic waste, among others, where the presence of H2O2 is important, without significantly altering the pH.Although very interesting for many areas, extremely low pH values, with extremely low values ​​meaning values ​​less than 4, are not beneficial when it comes to water quality control treatment for ponds and aquariums, or for any stage of water treatment for the production of drinking water, for example.

[0050] Figure 6 shows the possible embodiments of simple, portable, and low-cost plasma-activated water and liquid generating reactors (1) using the method and device of this invention. Each of the generator configurations presented takes advantage of the main benefit of the innovative reactor design (1) to give rise to equipment that meets the specific demands of each sector.

[0051] Figure 6a shows a semi-enclosed configuration, in which the reactor (1) is inside a box (12) shared with the other components of the generator such as the electrical power source, the air source, such as an air pump or pressurized gas container, the control panel, among others. In this configuration, the user inserts the container (11) with the water or liquid to be activated inside the generator and, manually or automatically, the reactor (1) is placed inside the container (11) starting Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 25 / 39 17 / 20 The plasma activation process, which can be configured and timed. This configuration is the simplest and most portable, requiring no installation, making it ideal for applications in laboratories, clinics, and beauty salons, where activated water (liquid) must be produced with high control of properties and a standard of repeatability and reproducibility.

[0052] Figure 6b shows the fully enclosed configuration, giving shape to the continuous or flow-through activation method. In this configuration, the reactor (1), air source and the container (11) with water or liquid are fully inserted and fixed inside the generator box (12). Water or liquid is admitted via a hose and an external tap (14), and liquid is removed via a tap (15) installed directly on the container (11). This generator configuration is very versatile and the safest in terms of operation, as well as being scalable in various areas, and can be installed in automatic water and liquid treatment / purification systems.

[0053] Figure 6c shows the generator configuration for external water and liquid activation, enabling direct on-site, or in situ, operation in various types of containers with different volumes. In this configuration, the reactor (1) is completely external to the generator box (12). The connection between the reactor (1) and the generator box (12) is made by a special flexible cable (16) that is fully electrically insulated, through which the electrical wires that power each of the electrodes (6), (7) pass, and the box (12) also has the air source, with a hose connecting the air source and the box, thus performing the injection of air / gas from the air source into the channel (3) of the reactor (1).This is one of the configurations that most differs from all forms of PAW and PAL production, plasma liquid activation, or water and wastewater treatment using plasma technology, as it allows the process to be carried out directly at the site of interest, such as rivers, streams, lakes, tanks, springs, swimming pools, ponds, water tanks, hydroponic pipes, among others. This can be considered the device's main application.

[0054] In the three configurations shown in Figure 6, the only requirement is a source of electrical power, in this case represented by a socket (13) to be plugged in. Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 26 / 39 18 / 20 in a common residential electrical network of 110 V or 220 V, 10 A, this connected directly to the generator for said power supply. The source of electrical energy, however, may be different, as we will see in the explanation of Figure 7 below.

[0055] Figure 7 shows the reactor installation possibilities (1) in relation to the electrical power source, especially for the external reactor configuration, which can give rise to autonomous water and liquid activation systems in situ.

[0056] Figure 7a shows the simplest possibility of using the local electrical network (13), being 110 V or 220 V at 60 Hz, the reactor (1) being able to be located away from the box (12) that houses the electrical power source and the air / gas source. This allows application in residential aquariums for example, or in hydroponics systems, or even in water and effluent treatment systems, such as cleaning residential water tanks or even in water and sewage treatment plants.

[0057] Figure 7b shows the possibility of using a battery system (17) when it is impossible to use the electrical grid, either due to distance or limitations in the operating locations. In this case, the electrical power source located in the main system box (12) can directly use the typical direct current voltage, or DC, such as 12 or 24 V for its operation. This is generally an advantage, since all power sources for high-voltage generation must first rectify the AC voltage at 60 Hz. The air pump, for example, can be one of the simplest and cheapest, operating at 12 or 24 V, very common and widely available on the market.

[0058] Figure 7c shows the possibility of using a local natural renewable energy system. In the example given, solar energy is used, but wind energy could also be used. In this case, the energy collected by the solar panel (18) is immediately used to activate the water on-site, i.e., in situ, the system does not require any other external energy source or any other connection to any other system. The voltage generated by the solar panel (18), or even by a wind generator, can be directly used by the generator in the same way as in the case of a battery. A system composed of a renewable energy storage system with a battery can also be used in this Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 27 / 39 19 / 20 configuration. This system is of particular interest for use in hydroponic systems, and for water and wastewater treatment in general, at different scales.

[0059] Figure 7d shows the possibility of using a local natural renewable energy system away from land, in which the entire system is floating with the aid of appropriate buoys (19) coupled to the generator box (12), and with the solar panel (18) also directly coupled to the generator box (12), and furthermore the reactor (1) being submerged with the aid of a ballast. In this case, the energy collected by the solar panel (18) is immediately used to activate the water in situ, i.e., in situ, the system not requiring any other external energy source and no other connection to any other system. The voltage generated by the solar panel (18), or even by a wind generator, can be directly used by the generator in the same way as in the case of a battery. Because it is a floating, not fixed, system, it has the advantage of moving around the lake, pond, pool, or tank and increasing the homogenization of the activation and treatment performed.This system is of particular interest for use in reservoirs, lakes, water treatment tanks, and wastewater treatment plants in general, at different scales, especially in underdeveloped regions that suffer from a lack of potable water.

[0060] The operating configurations shown in Figure 7 were duly tested using a 100 W nominal power solar panel connected to a 12 V voltage regulator, and also a common 12 V / 7 Ah UPS battery.

[0061] Finally, the method and device presented in this patent have the potential to compose products such as plasma-activated water (PAW) and plasma-activated liquid (PAL) generators, viable for the broad market, diversifying and democratizing the application of PAW in various sectors of the economy. In addition to having a significant impact on the economy, the availability of these generators will have a significant impact on reducing environmental damage. Furthermore, the SPL reactor described in this invention enables a new range of applications and studies, as it is a new way of obtaining plasma-activated water and liquids.For example, in addition to atmospheric air, different gases can be used to fuel the reactor, which drastically changes the formation of active and reactive species by the electric arc and consequently the creation of... Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, p. 28 / 39 20 / 20 very different water activation elements. This reactor can also be used to activate different liquids, from aqueous solutions, oils, solvents, reagents, among others. However, these possibilities still require further study.

[062] BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCES > [1] WONG et al., 2023 > [2] Plasma-Activated Water: Physicochemical Properties, Generation Techniques, and Applications, by Kiing S. Wong, Nicholas SL Chew, Mary Low and Ming K. Tan, published in July 2023 in the journal Process: www.mdpi.com / 2227-9717 / 11 / 7 / 2213 Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, p. 29 / 39

Claims

1 / 2 CLAIMS 1) REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND PLASMA LIQUIDS, a device used for producing plasma-activated water and plasma-activated liquids, characterized in that the device consists of a reactor (1) made up of an open body made of electrically insulating material (2), with a channel (3), orifices (4), and electrically conductive metal electrodes (6), (7), one being a live electrode (6) and the other a ground electrode (7); with the ground electrode (7) located externally to the body and surrounding the entire reactor (1); and having a box (12) housing a generator, a socket (13) connected to the generator, and an air source, the connection between the reactor (1) and the box (12) of the generator being made by a flexible cable (16) that is totally electrically insulated and through which pass the electrical wires that feed each of the electrodes (6), (7), and the connection of the air source being made with the channel (3) of the reactor (1) by a hose. 2) REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND PLASMA LIQUIDS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the live electrode (6) has a fork configuration (9). 3) REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND LIQUIDS TO PLASMA, according to claim 1, characterized in that the reactor (1) has two or more independent live electrodes (10). 4) REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND PLASMA LIQUIDS, according to claim 1, characterized in that, instead of using a generator in a box (12) separate from the reactor, the reactor (1) is located inside a box (12) shared with the other components of the generator, air source, and control panel. 5) REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND LIQUIDS TO PLASMA, according to claim 1, characterized in that, instead of using a generator in a box (12) separate from the reactor, both the reactor (1) and the container with the water or liquid (11) are fully inserted and fixed inside the box (12) of the generator, with the container also having a tap (15). 6) REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND PLASMA LIQUIDS, according to claim 1, characterized in that, instead of using a socket (13) connected to the generator, the generator is connected to a battery (17). Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, page 30 / 39 2 / 2 7) REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND PLASMA LIQUIDS, according to claim 1, characterized in that, instead of using a socket (13) connected to the generator, the generator is connected to a solar panel (18). 8) REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND PLASMA LIQUIDS, according to claim 7, characterized by having buoys (19) coupled to the generator box (12), with the solar panel (18) directly coupled to the generator box (12), and with the reactor (1) submerged by a ballast. 9) METHOD OF USING THE REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND LIQUIDS TO PLASMA, using the device of claim 1, characterized by carrying out a process in which the reactor (1) is submerged in liquid, administering a constant flow of air, gases or vapor admitted through a channel (3) of the reactor body (1) generated by an air source, carrying out the formation of a gas pocket and its continuous renewal, causing the bubbling (5) of the air, gases or vapor activated by the liquid, with the orifices (4) of the reactor (1) maintaining the liquid level constant at a certain and fixed distance (E) from the live electrode (6); and then using electrical energy through the generator to form an electric arc (8) between the live electrode (6) and the surface of the liquid inside the gas pocket. 10) METHOD OF USING THE REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND PLASMA LIQUIDS, using the device of claim 4 and according to claim 9, characterized in that, for the use of the reactor (1), the user inserts the container (11) with the water or liquid to be activated inside the generator and, manually or automatically, the reactor (1) is placed inside the container (11) initiating the plasma activation process. 11) METHOD OF USING THE REACTOR DEVICE FOR ACTIVATING WATER AND LIQUIDS TO PLASMA, using the device of claim 5 and according to claim 9, characterized in that, for the use of the reactor (1), water or liquid is admitted through a hose and an external tap (14), and the liquid is removed through the tap (15) installed directly on the container (11). Petition 870250015442, dated 25 / 02 / 2025, pp. 31 / 39

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