Nitrogen monoxide generator

Abstract

The invention relates to a corona discharge reactor (1) comprising a reaction chamber (2) having an air supply opening (6), a discharge opening (7), an electrode opening (8) and a reaction cavity (9), the supply opening, the discharge opening (7) and the electrode opening (8) each leading to the reaction cavity (9); an air supply device (3) configured to be in fluid communication with the air supply opening (6) by means of a guide pipe (100) and to supply the reactor with air; an at least partially internal high-voltage electrode (4) configured to engage with the electrode opening (8); an electrical power supply (5) configured to supply electrical power to the high-voltage electrode (4) and to the air supply device (3), the ratio of a cross section of the guide pipe (100) to a cross section of the reaction cavity (9) being between 1 / 5 and 3 / 10, for example 1 / 4.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Nitric oxide generator

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a system for generating nitrogen monoxide, and more particularly to a corona reactor configured to generate a gas stream which is enriched in nitrogen monoxide from an air stream.

[0005] The invention finds a preferred, and non-limiting, application in the medical and biological fields. Nitric oxide is notably used as an anesthetic gas for insects, or in medicine as an inhaled vasodilator for example.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] It is known from the prior art to use a device comprising at least one electrode which is presented near an air flow in order to generate nitrogen monoxide; the electrode is then supplied with a high voltage current in order to transform the air flow into plasma. The devices described in the prior art generally comprise: an electrode whose design is based on a modified spark plug: the modification relating to the removal of the ground electrode, a reaction chamber configured to receive the electrode, an air supply system configured to supply air into the reaction chamber, and an electrical supply system configured to supply at least the electrode.

[0008] In practice, it turns out that the devices for generating nitrogen monoxide as described in the prior art have certain drawbacks. The first drawback lies in the low energy efficiency as well as the degradation of the reaction chamber caused by the electric arc and the air flow in the plasma state. Indeed, the reaction inside the reaction chamber consumes a large amount of energy which is partially restored in the form of heat, which results in damage to the reaction chamber during prolonged use. Furthermore, the difficulty of using the devices as described in the prior art lies in the instability of the nitrogen monoxide concentration at the outlet of the reaction chamber.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks mentioned above.

[0011] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing a nitrogen monoxide generating device which is of simple and economical structure, and whose performance is stable and durable during prolonged use.

[0012] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a corona reactor, configured for the generation of nitrogen monoxide, and used in particular for the anesthesia of invertebrate animals, the reactor comprising at least: a reaction chamber, which comprises at least one air supply orifice, one discharge orifice, one electrode orifice, and one reaction cavity, the supply orifice, the discharge orifice and the electrode orifice each opening into the reaction cavity, the discharge orifice being configured to ensure the fluid passage of an enriched flow, an air supply device, which is configured to be fluidically connected to the air supply orifice by means of a guide duct, and to supply air to the reaction chamber, a high-voltage electrode which is configured to be at least partly inside the reaction chamber and to cooperate with the electrode orifice,and a power supply configured to electrically supply the high-voltage electrode and the air supply device, the ratio between a cross-section of the guide duct towards the supply port and a cross-section of the reaction cavity being between 0.2 and 0.3, and for example 0.25.,

[0013] Advantageously, the ratio substantially close to or equal to 0.25 between the cross-section of the air supply orifice and the cross-section of the reaction cavity allows the creation of a venturi effect as well as the expansion of an air flow coming from the air supply device when it arrives in the reaction chamber. The venturi effect as well as the expansion of the air flow combined with the electrical supply of the high-voltage electrode makes it possible to generate a corona effect and thus produce nitrogen monoxide from the air flow entering the reaction chamber.

[0014] Also, the specific characteristics of the invention described above make it possible to recover through the discharge orifice an enriched flow which is enriched in nitrogen monoxide compared to the air flow and whose nitrogen monoxide concentration is between 450 and 1000 ppm.

[0015] By high voltage electrode is meant an electrode whose operating range is between 4 KV and 12 KV, and advantageously between 6 KV and 9 KV volts, and for example 7 KV, the high voltage electrode being furthermore subjected to an intensity between 20 mA and 40 mA.

[0016] The corona reactor may further have one or more of the following characteristics, which may be taken alone or in combination.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the corona reactor is also configured to generate nitrogen monoxide by the corona effect as well as by an electric arc effect. The two phenomena are simultaneous inside the reaction chamber.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air supply device is fluidically connected to the air supply orifice by means of the guide duct, the guide duct being able to be cylindrical for example. Such a characteristic of the guide duct makes it possible to generate a localized venturi effect and thus relax the air flow when it arrives in the reaction chamber.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the guide duct has a passage section whose ratio between the passage section and the cross section of the reaction cavity is between 1 / 5 and 3 / 10, and for example 1 / 4.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reaction cavity is substantially cylindrical and extends along an extension axis A.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air supply orifice and the electrode orifice are substantially centered around the extension axis A

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electrode orifice is a threaded orifice, and the high voltage electrode has at least one threaded portion. The threaded orifice is configured to cooperate in a complementary manner with the threaded portion of the high voltage electrode.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the high-voltage electrode is, for example, a modified spark plug. According to one embodiment of the invention, the modified spark plug consists of a spark plug from which the ground electrode is removed, the walls of the reaction chamber acting as ground.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air supply device is configured to supply the reaction chamber with an air flow whose flow is laminar.

[0025] The air flow first passes through the guide duct and the air supply port whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the reaction chamber. These dimensions were found empirically after multiple tests in order to arrive at an optimum ratio between the diameter of the air supply elements and that of the reaction chamber. This ratio was defined by a diameter of the guide duct which would be % of that of the reaction chamber. If we now refer to the cross-section by calculating the area of ​​​​it, the ratio between the cross-section of the guide duct and the cross-section of the reaction chamber is close to %. When the continuous air passes through the conduction pipe and the reaction chamber a Venturi effect occurs with an increase in laminar air pressure in the reaction chamber.

[0026] Advantageously, the laminar flow of the air stream at the inlet of the reaction chamber allows for stable and efficient generation of nitrogen monoxide. The laminar state of the air stream obtained by the generated Venturi effect ensures the homogeneity of the reaction and consequently the stability of the nitrogen monoxide concentration at the outlet of the reaction chamber.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air supply device is an electric pump, such as a diaphragm pump for example.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reaction chamber is made of a non-magnetic material.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reaction chamber is made of a material which is capable of electrical conduction and of creating an electric arc with the electrode.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reaction chamber is made of a material which is non-magnetic, capable of electrical conduction and which is also capable of dissipating at least in part the thermal energy generated by the corona reactor during the electrical supply of the high-voltage electrode and therefore the generation of nitrogen monoxide, the reaction chamber being made of aluminum for example. Advantageously, the use of aluminum to make the reaction chamber makes it possible to create a corona effect but also an electric arc inside the reaction chamber. In addition, the thermal conductivity properties of aluminum represent an advantage in the temperature differences reached during the formation of the corona effect with the electric arc and the evacuation of heat in the intermittency of the electrical supply.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the diameter of the corona radiation is 1 cm.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the length of the electric arc is between 0.5 and 2.5 cm.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air supply orifice is located opposite the discharge orifice.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the corona reactor further comprises a voltage booster configured to electrically supply the high voltage electrode.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the voltage booster is a switching voltage regulator. Advantageously, the switching voltage regulator has an efficiency of between 60% and 90%. This efficiency is to be compared with an efficiency of around 40% to 50% when using a linear voltage regulator. Furthermore, the size of the switching regulator is smaller than the size of the linear voltage regulator.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the corona reactor also comprises a human-machine interface configured to simultaneously supply the high-voltage electrode and the air supply device when a user actuates the human-machine interface.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the human-machine interface may be a pneumatic contact type switch, for example.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the corona reactor further comprises a regulation device provided downstream of the discharge orifice.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the regulating device is provided directly at the outlet of the discharge orifice.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the regulating device is a shutter which is provided downstream of the discharge orifice. According to one embodiment of the invention, the regulating device is configured to occupy a plurality of positions between a closed position in which the regulating device completely blocks the passage of at least a portion of the enriched flow coming from the reaction chamber, and an open position in which the regulating device does not block the passage of said at least portion of the enriched flow coming from the reaction chamber.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the regulation device is a regulation valve whose opening and / or closing is electrically controlled, such as a solenoid valve for example.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the corona reactor further comprises a control and regulation system configured to control the production of nitrogen monoxide in the chamber by acting, as needed, on the electrical power supply: of the high voltage electrode, of the air supply device, of the regulation device, and of the voltage booster.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the corona reactor further comprises a selectivity device provided downstream of the discharge orifice, the selectivity device being configured to act on the concentration of nitrogen monoxide as well as on the products derived from nitrogen oxide which may be present in the enriched flow.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the selectivity device is composed at least in part of a material capable of carrying out a reduction reaction of nitrogen monoxide as well as of products derived from nitrogen oxide.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the selectivity device is composed at least in part of soda lime for example.

[0046] Advantageously, the concentration of nitrogen monoxide in the enriched flow downstream of the selectivity device can vary according to the user's needs, between 50 ppm and 400 ppm for example.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reaction chamber has an external volume whose footprint is less than 30 cm3.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reaction cavity has a general T-shaped shape.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the mass of the corona reactor may be, for example, between 60 and 100 grams. Advantageously, the small size, the low weight, as well as the low electrical consumption required for operation make the corona reactor portable, i.e. transportable by hand by the user.

[0050] Brief description of the figures

[0051] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a corona reactor according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0053] Figure 2 is a representation of a high voltage electrode according to the embodiment of the invention;

[0054] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the corona effect reactor according to a first variant of the embodiment of the invention;

[0055] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the corona reactor according to a second variant of the embodiment of the invention;

[0056] Figure 5 is a side perspective view of the corona reactor according to the embodiment of the invention.

[0057] Detailed description

[0058] Figures 1, 2 and 5 show a corona reactor 1 and the elements constituting it configured for the generation of nitrogen monoxide according to one embodiment of the invention, as well as some of the elements constituting it. The corona reactor 1 comprises a reaction chamber 2, an air supply device 3, a high voltage electrode 4, and a power supply 5.

[0059] The reaction chamber 2 is made of a non-magnetic material capable of electrical conduction, such as aluminum for example. The reaction chamber 2 comprises an air supply orifice 6, an outlet orifice 7, an electrode orifice 8, and a reaction cavity 9. The air supply orifice 6, the outlet orifice 7 and the electrode orifice 8 each open into the reaction cavity 9. The air supply device 3 is fluidically connected to the air supply orifice 6 by means of a guide duct 100 which may be cylindrical for example. Such a characteristic of the guide duct 100 makes it possible to generate a localized venturi effect and thus relax the air flow when it arrives in the reaction chamber.

[0060] The ratio between a cross-section of the air supply orifice 6 and a cross-section of the reaction cavity 9 is between 1 / 5 and 3 / 10, and is for example 1 / 4. The air supply orifice 6 is located opposite the electrode orifice 8. By cross-section is meant a section which perpendicularly intersects an extension axis A. The reaction chamber 2 has an external shape similar to a rectangular parallelepiped whose volume is less than 30 cm3; while the interior of the reaction chamber 2 forming the reaction cavity is substantially cylindrical and extends along the extension axis A.

[0061] According to the embodiment of the invention as shown in the figures, the reaction cavity 9 has a general shape which can be likened to a T. The reaction cavity 9 is delimited by the reaction chamber 2, the air supply orifice 6, the discharge orifice 7, as well as by the electrode orifice 8.

[0062] According to the embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 1, the air supply device 3 is fluidically connected to the air supply orifice 6 and is configured to supply air to the reaction cavity 9. The air supply device 3 is configured to supply the reaction chamber 2 with an air flow F1 whose flow is laminar. Advantageously, the air supply device 3 is composed of an electric pump, such as a membrane pump for example.

[0063] According to the embodiment of the invention and as shown more specifically in Figure 2, the high voltage electrode 4 comprises a threaded portion 10 which is configured to cooperate by form complementarity with a threaded portion of the electrode orifice 8. Also, the high voltage electrode 4 comprises a discharge end 11 which is provided on the side of the threaded portion 10. The discharge end 11 is configured to delimit at least in part the reaction cavity 9. By high voltage electrode 4 is meant an electrode whose operating range is between 4 KV and 12 KV, and advantageously between 6 KV and 9 KV, and such as for example 7 KV, and whose operating intensity is between 20 and 40 mA. Advantageously and in order to limit costs, the high voltage electrode 4 is a modified spark plug from which the ground electrode is removed.

[0064] The power supply 5 is configured to electrically power the high-voltage electrode 4 as well as the air supply device 5. Advantageously, the power supply 5 of the high-voltage electrode 4 makes it possible to generate a corona effect inside the reaction cavity 9. The corona effect makes it possible to transform the air flow F1 coming from the air supply orifice 6 into plasma, and also makes it possible to recover via the discharge orifice 7 an enriched flow F2 which is enriched in nitrogen monoxide relative to the air flow F1 and whose nitrogen monoxide concentration is between 450 and 1000 ppm.

[0065] Advantageously, the ratio between the cross-section of the air supply orifice 6 and the cross-section of the reaction cavity 9 allows an expansion of the air flow F1 coming from the air supply device 3. Also, the laminar flow of the air flow F1 at the inlet of the reaction chamber 2 allows a stable and efficient generation of nitrogen monoxide. The laminar state of the air flow F1 makes it possible to guarantee the homogeneity of the reaction and consequently the stability of the nitrogen monoxide concentration downstream of the discharge orifice 7. Furthermore, the reaction chamber 2 which is made of a non-magnetic material capable of electrical conduction such as aluminum, makes it possible to dissipate at least part of the thermal energy generated by the corona reactor 1 during the reaction.

[0066] According to a first variant of the embodiment of the invention which is shown in Figure 3, the corona effect reactor 1 further comprises a voltage booster 12, a regulation device 13, and a human-machine interface 14.

[0067] The voltage booster 12 is configured to electrically supply the high-voltage electrode 4. The voltage booster 12 used is a switching voltage regulator. Advantageously, the switching voltage regulator has an efficiency of between 60% and 90%. This efficiency is to be compared with the efficiency of around 40% to 50% when using a linear voltage regulator. Furthermore, the size of the switching regulator is smaller than the size of the linear voltage regulator.

[0068] The regulating device 13 is provided downstream of the discharge orifice 7. The regulating device 13 is configured to occupy a plurality of positions between a closed position in which the regulating device 13 completely blocks the passage of at least a portion of the enriched flow F2 coming from the reaction chamber 2, and an open position in which the regulating device 13 does not block the passage of said at least portion of the enriched flow F2 coming from the reaction chamber 2. The regulating device 13 according to the first variant of the embodiment is a regulating valve whose opening and / or closing is electrically controlled, such as a solenoid valve for example.

[0069] As can be seen more specifically in Figure 3, the regulating device 13 may be a shutter, such as a gun 13P or an air blower for example, which is provided downstream of the discharge orifice 7. As long as the shutter is closed, the power supply 5 and / or the voltage booster 12 do not operate. At the moment when the shutter opens, by pressing the gun for example, the system is open and the power supply 5 and / or the voltage booster 12 operate in order to produce the nitric oxide which exits through the gun 13P. Conversely, releasing the trigger of the gun, and therefore closing the shutter, conditions the stopping of the production of nitric oxide.

[0070] The human-machine interface 14 is configured to simultaneously supply the voltage booster 12 and the air supply device 3 when a user actuates the human-machine interface 14. Also, the actuation of the human-machine interface 14 by the user initiates the transition to the open position of the regulating device 13 and / or the gun 13P. Conversely, the regulating device 13 and / or the gun 13P occupies its closed position when it is not requested by the human-machine interface 14. Advantageously, the human-machine interface may be a switch of the pneumatic contact type for example.

[0071] According to a second variant of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4, the corona reactor 1 also comprises a selectivity device 15 provided downstream of the discharge orifice 7. The variant embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4 differs from the variant shown in Figure 3 in particular in that the system is always open. The regulation of nitrogen monoxide production is obtained in particular by activating the voltage booster 12 sequentially. The selectivity device 15 is configured to act on the concentration of nitrogen monoxide as well as on the nitrogen oxide derivatives present in the enriched flow F2. The selectivity device 15 is composed at least in part of a material capable of carrying out a reduction reaction of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen oxide derivatives, such as soda lime for example.Advantageously, the nitrogen monoxide concentration of an outgoing flow F3 downstream of the selectivity device 15 can vary between 50 and 400 ppm, depending on the user's needs and the dilution in the air of a ventilation circuit for example.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the mass of the corona reactor may be, for example, between 50 and 100 grams.

[0073] Advantageously, the small size, the low weight, as well as the low electrical consumption required for operation make the corona reactor portable, i.e. transportable by hand by the user.

[0074] The transformation of ambient air into a gas enriched in nitrogen monoxide makes it possible, among other things, to anesthetize invertebrate animals such as laboratory flies, but also to use nitrogen monoxide for therapeutic purposes, for example. Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A corona effect reactor (1), configured for the generation of nitric oxide and used in particular for the anesthesia of invertebrate animals, the corona effect reactor (1) comprising at least: a reaction chamber (2), which has at least one air supply port (6), one discharge port (7), one electrode port (8), and a reaction cavity (9), the supply port, the discharge port (7), and the electrode port (8) each opening into the reaction cavity (9), the discharge port (7) being configured to provide the fluidic passage of an enriched stream (F2), an air supply device (3), which is configured to be fluidically connected to the air supply port (6) by means of a guide conduit (100), and to supply air to the reaction chamber (2), a high-voltage electrode which is configured to be at least partially inside the reaction chamber and to cooperate with the port electrode (8),an electrical power supply (5) configured to electrically supply the high-voltage electrode (4) as well as the air supply device (3), the ratio between a cross-section of the guide duct (100) towards the air supply orifice (6) and a cross-section of the reaction cavity (9) being between 1 / 5 and 3 / 10, and for example 1 / 4.

2. Corona effect reactor (1) according to claim 1, which is also configured to achieve the generation of nitrogen monoxide by the simultaneous combination of the corona effect and an electric arc inside the reaction chamber (2).

3. Corona effect reactor (1) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the air supply device (3) is configured to supply the reaction chamber (2) with an airflow (F1) whose flow is laminar.

4. Corona effect reactor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reaction chamber (2) is made of a non-magnetic material.

5. Corona effect reactor (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reaction chamber (2) is made of a material which is capable of electrical conduction.

6. Corona effect reactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the power supply (5) further comprising a voltage booster (12).

7. Corona effect reactor (1) according to claim 6, wherein the voltage booster (12) is a switching voltage regulator.

8. Corona effect reactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air supply orifice (6) is located opposite the electrode orifice (8).

9. Corona effect reactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which also includes a human-machine interface (14) configured to simultaneously power the high-voltage electrode and the air supply device (3) when a user actuates the human-machine interface (14).

10. Corona effect reactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device (13) provided downstream of the discharge port (7).

11. Corona effect reactor (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control device (13) is configured to occupy a plurality of positions between a closed position in which the control device (13) totally blocks the passage of at least a part of the enriched flux (F2) from the reaction chamber (2), and an open position in which the control device (13) does not block the passage of said at least part of the enriched flux (F2) from the reaction chamber (2).

12. Corona effect reactor (1) according to the preceding claim, which further comprises a control and regulation system configured to control the production of nitrogen monoxide in the chamber by acting, as required, on the power supply (5): of the high voltage electrode, of the air supply device (3), of the regulation device (13), and of the voltage booster (12).

13. Corona effect reactor (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a selectivity device (15) provided downstream of the discharge port (7), the selectivity device (15) being configured to act on the concentration of nitrogen monoxide present in the enriched stream (F2).

Images