Apparatus and method for removing hazardous environmental substances using plasma with tokamak technology

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plasma-based device and method for removing harmful environmental substances, which can supply clean air by eliminating not only harmful substances in the air but also microorganisms and bacteria, by treating indoor air using a gliding arc plasma device. In particular, by using it as an indoor circulating type in underground spaces, or by installing it directly in an outside air intake pipe separately to draw in outside air, air can be passed through the reactor, thereby supplying a large volume of fresh air obtained by purifying polluted air to large underground spaces. Furthermore, by combining the devices in series and parallel, it is possible to operate with real-time processing capacity and a stable reduction rate, secondary pollution can be prevented by not using separate chemical decomposition additives, and it can filter out fine particulate matter of 100 μm or less, as well as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and hydrocarbons, which are pollutants of automobiles and are unburned carbon. Therefore, the present invention relates to a plasma-based device and method for removing harmful environmental substances, which applies to air circulation devices installed in tunnels on expressways, and is applicable to such devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which tokamak technology is applied. More specifically, by treating indoor air using a gliding arc plasma device, not only harmful substances in the air but also microorganisms and bacteria can be exterminated to supply clean air. The present invention relates to a device and method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which tokamak technology is applied.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which tokamak technology is applied, which can be used as an indoor circulation type in an underground space, or directly installed in a separate outdoor air intake pipeline to inhale outdoor air, and pass the air into the reactor to supply a large volume of fresh air obtained by purifying contaminated air to a large-scale underground space.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention can be operated at a real-time processing capacity and a stable reduction rate by combining the devices in series and in parallel, and can prevent secondary pollution by not using additives for separate chemical decomposition. In addition to filtering particulate matter of 100 μm or less, it can also treat nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and hydrocarbons which are unburned carbon, which are pollutants of automobiles. Therefore, the present invention relates to a device and method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which tokamak technology is applied, which is applicable to an air circulation device installed in a tunnel on an exclusive road for automobiles.

Background Art

[0004] The recent rapid development of industries and the explosive increase in population are astonishing. Along with this, humanity's energy consumption is increasing rapidly every day. Fossil fuels and natural resources, which are the raw materials for thermal power generation and nuclear power generation, the main current energy production methods, are being depleted due to limited reserves, and there is a problem of discharging various greenhouse gases and harmful substances as by-products of these power generations.

[0005] Furthermore, in the case of alternative energy sources that have attracted attention in recent years, such as solar, wind, and tidal power, despite extensive research, it is still not possible to guarantee sufficient energy production efficiency or quality of generated electrical energy to have commercial value.

[0006] In contrast, nuclear fusion technology, which can produce enormous amounts of energy from the mass defect generated when two or more hydrogen atoms combine in a superheated plasma state to form a single helium atom, is valued as a future energy alternative technology and has been the subject of active research for decades.

[0007] Nuclear fusion devices come in various forms depending on how they generate ultra-high temperature plasma and how they operate stably. Among these, tokamak devices, which can confine and control ultra-high temperature plasma using magnetic fields, are recognized as having great potential as future commercial power reactors.

[0008] Tokamak devices facilitate the generation, confinement, and control of fusion plasma, making them a highly promising technological field with significant ripple effects. They can be used not only for fusion plasma production but also for generating commercial plasmas applicable to a wide range of industrial fields, including environmental, mechanical, and materials technology.

[0009] In modern times, humanity enjoys a prosperous and convenient life thanks to the development of industry and technology. However, unlike the pre-industrial era when sources of environmental pollution did not exist, problems have arisen due to various harmful gases.

[0010] In particular, the massive emissions of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels are causing climate change due to global warming, posing a major threat to human survival. Furthermore, the rising concentrations of various harmful gases and atmospheric microorganisms are creating serious environmental problems for humanity, including the outbreak of diseases and threats to life itself.

[0011] As mentioned above, nuclear fusion energy is attracting attention as a clean energy source because it does not produce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, and the damage caused by the generation of various harmful gases can be reduced through the development of diverse environmental technologies.

[0012] In particular, environmental problems caused by air pollution are seriously manifesting themselves in underground spaces that are spatially enclosed and where air circulation does not occur smoothly. The generation of pollutants and their effects on human health are as shown in the table below.

[0013] [Table 1]

[0014] While various technologies are being applied to solve these serious problems, the increasing number of pollution sources due to industrial development is creating a growing societal demand for more efficient and permanent gas treatment systems.

[0015] In particular, studies show that modern people spend approximately 80% to 90% or more of their day in an artificial indoor environment, making the creation of a comfortable indoor environment essential for the health of residents. According to data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, indoor air pollution accounts for 4.3 million deaths annually, and indoor pollutants are about 1,000 times more likely to reach the lungs than outdoor pollutants.

[0016] Among the sources of indoor air pollution, microbial contamination, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, is particularly important from a public health perspective. Indoor environments have limited air circulation and less exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight compared to outdoor environments, which is why indoor air microorganisms are known to be able to survive for relatively longer periods.

[0017] Therefore, in order to prevent microbial infection and spread, there is currently a need for treatment equipment that actively removes indoor air microorganisms.

[0018] On the other hand, various technologies using plasma, a phenomenon in which a gas is heated to an extremely high temperature and separated into electrons and positively charged ions, are being utilized.

[0019] Plasma is an ionized gas composed of electrons, ions, and neutral gas molecules. Academically, it can be defined as an electrically quasi-neutral gas exhibiting collective behavior. DC high-voltage discharge is one method of obtaining plasma. By injecting a gas, such as air from the underground space being treated, between two conductive electrodes and applying a high DC voltage while maintaining low pressure (room temperature and atmospheric pressure), a DC discharge occurs, generating plasma.

[0020] When the applied DC high voltage reaches a specific voltage (Vb), i.e., the threshold voltage, explosive ionization occurs. As the voltage increases, electrons are accelerated toward the anode and ionize the gas. Through this process, the current increases exponentially, and secondary electron emission occurs. The ions generated by ionization are attracted to the cathode, and secondary electrons are emitted upon collision with the cathode. These emitted secondary electrons have high energy and collide with gas molecules, generating many ions and electrons. The ions thus generated are again accelerated toward the cathode, generating secondary electrons, and the electrons emitted from there ionize the gas again, generating even more ions.

[0021] When this process is repeated, the current increases at a rate even faster than exponential. This phenomenon is called breakdown. When breakdown occurs, the gas transitions to a glow discharge state, and a gliding arc is generated. In the gliding arc state, ionization occurs when electrons generated by the emission of secondary electrons leave the plasma through drift and diffusion, and recombine with ions at the wall. In some cases, electrons may also disappear from the plasma by forming anions. However, when the rate of ion loss throughout the plasma equals the rate of electron / ion generation through ionization, the plasma reaches equilibrium and self-sustains.

[0022] In this region, the gas generates a gliding arc, glow discharge begins, the plate voltage decreases, and the current increases rapidly. The voltage Vb required to maintain this region is called the breakdown voltage. The large amount of light generated in the gliding arc after glow discharge begins is emitted from the excited states of molecules and atoms.

[0023] Derived plasma technologies that apply tokamak fusion technology can be used not only for energy generation but also for various industrial applications in fields such as environmental science, machinery, and materials science. Currently, there is a need to construct a gliding arc device, which has high potential as a practical system due to its simple configuration and operating principle, and to simultaneously secure technology that can quantitatively evaluate the sterilization efficiency by processing microorganisms.

[0024] Matter is classified into four states: solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. When sufficient energy is supplied to a substance in a gaseous state, the gas molecules have very high energy and collide with each other. At this time, if the supplied energy exceeds the ionization energy, electrons are released from atoms or molecules. Atoms or molecules from which electrons have been released become ions, and this is called ionization. This state in which electrons and ions are separated is called plasma.

[0025] A fusion device that generates enormous energy from the mass defect that occurs when two or more hydrogen atoms combine and are converted into one helium atom in an ultra-high temperature plasma state has various states depending on the method of generating an ultra-high temperature plasma and operating the system stably. In particular, the tokamak method of confining and controlling plasma using a magnetic field is highly evaluated. This tokamak device has a doughnut-shaped magnet arranged in a ring, and plasma is confined inside it for the main purpose of generating electricity. However, tokamak application technology is spreading to industrial applications in various fields such as environment, machinery, and material technology.

[0026] There are various air purification devices using such plasma. For example, there are also examples in Patent Documents 1 to 3 below. However, since plasma is instantaneously generated in the space where plasma is generated, there is a problem that the air purification function during the process of passing through this reaction space decreases.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0027] The present invention was created to solve the problems in the above conventional technologies. In an atmosphere where the oxygen concentration is low, such as in a sealed and crowded space, etc., where there is a risk of inconvenience to breathing, by generating oxygen and maintaining an appropriate level of oxygen concentration, an apparatus and method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which tokamak technology is applied, which can achieve an improvement effect on human health, are provided.

[0028] The present invention aims to provide an apparatus and method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which tokamak technology is applied, which can be installed in multi-use facilities such as hospitals, subways, or railway stations to remove harmful substances and harmful bacteria and provide clean air.

[0029] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a device and method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma, which employs tokamak technology that enhances the efficiency of removing harmful substances and harmful bacteria by extending the time that contaminated air passes through the plasma, thereby preventing the plasma from temporarily disappearing when decomposing pollutants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0030] A plasma-based hazardous environmental substance removal apparatus using tokamak technology according to the present invention, which solves the above objectives, is a plasma generator comprising a cylindrical external electrode and an internal electrode provided inside the external electrode and having a reaction space between it and the external electrode, wherein a high-voltage supply device for supplying a DC high voltage is further provided outside the cylindrical external electrode to generate an electrically neutral gas that exhibits collective behavior inside the reaction space, and the atmosphere to be treated is passed through the reaction space, thereby decomposing hazardous gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and unburned carbon that are saturated in the passing atmosphere.

[0031] Preferably, the external electrode has an aluminum plating on its exterior, and the internal electrode is made from a special steel plate with an iron core steel plate embedded within it.

[0032] The high-voltage supply device is provided to prevent the temporary disappearance of the plasma state during the process of generating a gliding arc to generate plasma while the device is operating to process contaminants passing through the device. Preferably, the high-voltage supply device comprises an electrically insulated soft copper wire wound around the outer circumference of the external electrode and having an outer covering, a DC power supply that supplies DC power to the soft copper wire, and a variable resistor connected in series with the DC power supply.

[0033] Preferably, the internal electrode is manufactured with a blade-shaped cross-section to generate a gliding arc, thereby increasing the arc length and extending the reaction time with respect to the substance to be processed.

[0034] The method for removing harmful environmental substances using a plasma-based device for removing harmful environmental substances that incorporates tokamak technology according to the present invention is characterized by applying a DC high voltage with the high voltage supply device to perform ionization, accelerating electrons to the anode and emitting secondary electrons, and the electrons with relatively high energy ionizing the gas again to generate more ions, thereby generating a gliding arc by the Mann effect.

[0035] It is preferable to further supply a mixed gas of CO2, steam, and CH4 to the reaction space to reform the hydrocarbons into H2 and CO2, thereby enabling the conversion of the chain hydrocarbons into cyclic hydrocarbons.

[0036] It is preferable to separate and compress H2 from the modified cyclic hydrocarbon so that it can be used as fuel for rotating engines, such as those in vehicles.

[0037] The modified cyclic hydrocarbons are preferably used to adhere to refrigerators or low-temperature refrigeration equipment to suppress plant growth and development, or by flower farmers to temporarily delay the full bloom of flowers to extend the preservation period of their form, or they can be used as air inside the vinyl containers used for packaging.

[0038] When atoms or molecules with sufficient energy collide and enter an excited state (activated state, stochastic suspension state, or trans state), it is preferable to make available the light of a wide range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet to visible light, emitted when the molecule transitions from vibrational rotational energy back to the ground state, for the purpose of eradicating bacteria, inhibiting bacterial growth and culture, and removing pathogenic bacteria and fungi, as well as for antimicrobial purposes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] The apparatus and method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology of the present invention is applied has the effect of being able to purify the air more effectively and remove harmful substances from the air.

[0040] In particular, the present invention can enhance the air purification effect by sterilizing not only harmful substances but also bacteria in the air passing through the reaction space by confining the plasma generated in the reaction space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an example of a plasma-based device for removing harmful environmental substances to which the tokamak technology according to the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing an example of a device for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology according to the present invention is applied. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a device for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology according to the present invention is applied. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing another example of a plasma-based device for removing harmful environmental substances to which the tokamak technology according to the present invention is applied. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing yet another example of a plasma-based device for removing harmful environmental substances to which the tokamak technology according to the present invention is applied. [Figure 6] (a) to (c) are photographs of various atmospheric pressure plasmas depending on the generation method and thermal equilibrium state. [Figure 7] (a) and (b) are diagrams showing the electrode structure of the plasma generator. [Figure 8] (a) and (b) are photographs showing the configuration and installation state of the experimental apparatus for the gliding arc plasma processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 9] (a) and (b) are graphs showing experimental results comparing the effect of plasma treatment according to the present invention on reducing airborne microorganisms. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] The present invention can be modified in various ways and may have a variety of embodiments. Therefore, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. This should not be understood as limiting the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather as including all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0043] In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is deemed that a specific explanation of known technology related to the present invention may obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0044] This invention can more efficiently remove harmful substances and bacteria, thereby supplying clean air.

[0045] The plasma-based device for removing harmful environmental substances using tokamak technology according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, comprises a cylindrical external electrode 11 and an internal electrode 12 provided inside the external electrode and having a reaction space 10a between it and the external electrode.

[0046] The plasma-based device for removing harmful environmental substances, to which the tokamak technology according to the present invention is applied, is a derivative technology of tokamak nuclear fusion, and plasmas under various atmospheric pressure conditions are being applied in industrial fields such as environment, machinery, and materials.

[0047] Plasmas under atmospheric pressure can be classified into several types depending on their characteristics, but depending on the discharge method, thermal equilibrium state, or temperature, they can be classified into thermal plasma, gliding arc, pulsed corona discharge (PCD), or dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), as shown in Figure 5 and the table below.

[0048] [Table 2]

[0049] Of these plasmas, thermal plasma is generated using high-power arcs or high-frequency waves ranging from several kW to several MW, allowing it to achieve high temperatures of up to 20,000 degrees Celsius. It can be applied to a wide range of fields, including ceramic coating, welding, cutting and other machining processes, synthesis of new materials, and melting and thermal decomposition of waste. However, because it is fundamentally a high-power device, it has the disadvantage of being difficult to apply commercially outside of specialized fields.

[0050] Furthermore, in the case of pulsed corona discharge or dielectric barrier discharge, plasma is generated by intermittently and repeatedly generating a discharge in atmospheric pressure using a pulsed or high-frequency high-voltage power supply. While this allows for low-power operation, it has the disadvantage of limiting its applications due to the narrow discharge space.

[0051] In contrast, a gliding arc is a plasma in which temperature changes and transitions to a thermal equilibrium state occur depending on the characteristics of the power source and the arc length. Unlike thermal plasmas, it has chemical selectivity and can obtain a higher electron density compared to conventional non-equilibrium plasmas such as pulsed corona discharge (PCD) or dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). Because it exhibits partially high-temperature characteristics, it is economically efficient and can be used in a wide range of industrial fields. The present invention utilizes such a gliding arc.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5(b), a gliding arc occurs when a discharge is generated between two electrodes to which a high voltage is applied, and its length changes over time.

[0053] First, when a high voltage is applied between the two electrodes, a discharge occurs at the point where the two electrodes are closest, according to the principle based on the Paschen curve, which is organized in terms of discharge voltage, pressure, and discharge distance. The discharge channel, which is in the ignited plasma state, rises upward due to the injection of outside air or a decrease in its own density, and as its length gradually increases, the applied voltage increases and its electrical characteristics change.

[0054] After going through this transition period, the gliding arc acquires the characteristics of a completely non-equilibrium plasma. When the length of the discharge channel exceeds a certain distance, the power supply can no longer supply sufficient voltage, and the discharge is interrupted. However, since a high voltage is still applied to the electrodes, re-ignition occurs at the bottom of the electrode closest to the discharge distance, and the plasma state is maintained by continuously repeating the transition described above.

[0055] As a result, the gliding arc can possess both the characteristics of a thermal plasma with high temperature and high electron density, and the characteristics of a non-equilibrium plasma with room temperature and high electron energy.

[0056] Gliding arcs can be broadly classified into high-current gliding arcs (HCGA) and low-current gliding arcs (LCGA) depending on the power supply current of the power system. Low-current gliding arcs (LCGA) (I≦1A) are mainly used because they are relatively easy to manufacture and manage, and because they are in an unbalanced state in terms of power and energy for most of the time during a single discharge cycle.

[0057] Gliding arcs have been used in the fertilizer industry since the early 1900s. In recent years, they have been used in gas reforming, which uses CO2 or steam along with CH4 as an electrostatic discharger to produce H2 and CO, and also in the treatment of harmful gases such as H2S (hydrogen sulfide) and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Furthermore, gliding arcs have the advantage of generating large amounts of chemically active species (radicals) such as ozone, which allows for biological treatment as well.

[0058] In gliding arcs, a close distance between electrodes is necessary for initial ignition, and to continuously generate a discharge while extending the length of the discharge channel, as mentioned above, electrodes with a blade-shaped structure as shown in Figure 7(a) are mainly used. However, in this case, the reaction area and reaction time between the gas being processed and the plasma are limited, so research has been conducted on modified forms of gliding arc devices, and as a result, a tornado-type device as shown in Figure 6(b) has been developed.

[0059] A tornado gliding arc is a type of device that forcibly supplies plasma-forming gas from outside the system by adding a swirl flow, extending the arc length and then maintaining the discharge. This has the advantage of increasing the time and area over which the gas being processed reacts with the plasma within the discharge space.

[0060] Chemical reactions in a reactor with an electric field involve electrons gaining energy from the electric field within the plasma, generating and maintaining the plasma through ionization and dissociation. Energy transfer from electrons to atoms and molecules occurs primarily through inelastic collisions, and such inelastic collisions trigger reactions that lead to various chemical reactions.

[0061] Excitation

[0062] [ka]

[0063] When an electron with sufficient energy collides with an atom or molecule, as described above, the electron excites the atom or molecule, and this excited state manifests as vibration, rotation, or a change in electron energy levels.

[0064] While atoms can only exist in excited states due to electrons, molecules can also have their excited states altered by rotational motion or vibrational energy.

[0065] When a plasma transitions from an excited state to a ground state, light is emitted, and in plasma, light is generated across a wide wavelength range, from ultraviolet to visible light.

[0066] Dissociative attachment

[0067] [ka]

[0068] Halogen elements and electronegative gases dissociate by adsorbing low-energy electrons onto their atoms / molecules. During this process, electrons are captured to form anions, and more anions are produced than cations / anions during the dissociation and capture process.

[0069] [ka] JPEG2026527479000007.jpg9153 JPEG2026527479000008.jpg9153

[0070] Ionization

[0071] Ionization in atoms and molecules occurs primarily through electron collisions, resulting in the creation of positive ions, negative ions, atoms, and molecular ions.

[0072] [ka]

[0073] When a DC voltage of 100V is applied to induce a transient response in the electron magnetic field, the magnetic field becomes strong and a large magnetic field exists. This magnetic field overwhelms the electric field caused by the electrostatic attraction between electrons and nuclei, and in such cases, a flame propagation phenomenon occurs, and gas molecules and fine particles in the introduced gas undergo instantaneous combustion and ring separation.

[0074] The present invention utilizes the gliding arc technology described above, and further provides a high-voltage supply device 20 for supplying DC high voltage outside the cylindrical external electrode in order to generate an electrically neutral gas exhibiting collective behavior inside the reaction space 10a.

[0075] The apparatus of the present invention passes the air to be treated through the reaction space and decomposes harmful gases saturated in the passing air, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and unburned carbon.

[0076] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the plasma generator 10 is cylindrical in shape and is constructed by providing an internal electrode 120 at the center of the cylindrical external electrode 11.

[0077] Since this plasma generator 10 is already publicly known through various technologies, including Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0459712, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0078] The present invention provides a high-voltage supply device on the outside of the cylindrical body constituting the external electrode 11 of the plasma generator 10 having the above configuration, so that the plasma generated in the reaction space 10a between the external electrode and the internal electrode is confined by the magnetic field generated by the high-voltage supply device, thereby allowing the plasma to act on the contaminated air for a longer period of time as the contaminated air passes through the reaction space.

[0079] The high-voltage supply device 20 has a function to prevent the plasma state from temporarily disappearing during the process of generating a gliding arc to generate plasma while the device is in operation to process contaminants passing through the device.

[0080] In other words, when the apparatus of the present invention is activated and glue discharge is initiated, generating a gliding arc and decomposing contaminants, the plasma temporarily disappears. However, by using a high-voltage supply device to perform "plasma confinement," a tokamak method, by generating a DC magnetic field, the electronic state occurring at the central electrode is continuously maintained, the plasma state is stably preserved, radical reactions occur without interruption, and the apparatus acts as an incubator, maintaining the dissociation phenomenon necessary for the decomposition of harmful gas molecules and electron transfer of molecules at a satisfactory level.

[0081] The plasma generated in a room-temperature, atmospheric-pressure structure may be considered in relation to the humidity of the introduced gas and the concentration of impurities saturated in the gas.

[0082] As described above, the high-voltage supply device 20 is for generating a magnetic field to maintain the plasma, and as shown in Figure 1, it consists of an electrically insulated soft copper wire 21 wound around the outer circumference of an external electrode and having an outer covering, a DC power supply 22 that supplies DC power to the soft copper wire, and a variable resistor 23 connected in series with the DC power supply.

[0083] The soft copper wire 21 is a conductive wire with an electrical vinyl insulating coating on its outer edge, and is provided by winding a soft copper wire with a diameter of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm 160 to 250 times in a clockwise direction centered on the direction from the gas inlet to the outlet using an aligned winding method.

[0084] A DC power supply 22 and a variable resistor 23 are provided in series with the soft copper wire 21.

[0085] The DC power supply has a voltage of 24V.

[0086] The variable resistor 23 is a variable resistor with a range of 100Ω to 1000Ω and is connected in series with the DC power supply. When a voltage of 24V is applied by the DC power supply, magnetization occurs in the soft copper wire 21, forming a magnetic field like a tokamak, which allows the plasma to be confined very instantaneously.

[0087] The external electrode 11 is made from a steel plate with an aluminum plating on its exterior, and the internal electrode 12 is made from a special steel plate with an iron core steel plate embedded within it.

[0088] As shown in Figure 2, the internal electrode 12 is designed with a blade-like cross-section to generate a gliding arc, thereby increasing the arc length and extending the reaction time with respect to the substance being processed.

[0089] In other words, the internal electrode 12 is constructed by stacking many steel plates, each containing an iron core, and tooth-shaped blades are formed on the outer edge of each steel plate to extend the reaction time.

[0090] The method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology of the present invention is applied involves applying a DC high voltage with the high voltage supply device to perform ionization, accelerating electrons to the anode and emitting secondary electrons, and electrons with relatively high energy ionize the gas again to generate more ions, which in turn generate a gliding arc with Mann.

[0091] It is preferable to further supply a mixed gas of CO2, vapor, and CH4 into the reaction space to reform it into H2 and CO2, thereby enabling the chain-like hydrocarbons to be converted into cyclic hydrocarbons.

[0092] H2 is separated from the modified cyclic hydrocarbons and compressed, making them usable as fuel for rotating engines, including those in vehicles.

[0093] When atoms or molecules with sufficient energy collide and enter an excited state (activated state, stochastic suspension state, or trans state), the molecules are converted into vibrational and rotational energy. The light emitted during the transition from ultraviolet to visible light can then be used to eradicate bacteria, inhibit bacterial growth and cultivation, and eliminate pathogenic bacteria and fungi, as well as for antimicrobial purposes.

[0094] Furthermore, the present invention allows for the operation of a device to convert cyclic hydrocarbons into CO2, which can then be attached to refrigerators or low-temperature refrigeration equipment to suppress plant growth and development, or to be used by flower farmers to temporarily delay the full bloom of flowers and extend the preservation period of their form, or to be used as air inside the vinyl containers used for packaging.

[0095] Furthermore, the present invention can be used in underground spaces and tunnels, etc., where the oxygen concentration has dropped significantly to 18% or less, for the purpose of restoring oxygen and purifying harmful gases, such as a mixture of hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds, present in the air quality.

[0096] When atoms or molecules with sufficient energy collide and enter an excited state (activated state, stochastic suspension state, or trans state), the molecules convert this energy into vibrational rotational energy, and when they transition back to the ground state, they emit light. This emission of light across a wide range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet to visible light, can be used in air conditioning systems for the purpose of eliminating bacteria, inhibiting bacterial growth and cultivation, and removing pathogenic bacteria and fungi, as well as providing antimicrobial protection.

[0097] It can be used by attaching it to air injection pipes or air circulation devices in humid underground spaces for the purpose of suppressing the growth of microorganisms.

[0098] Furthermore, the present invention temporarily applies an excessively high DC voltage to bring the electric field into a transient response state, creating a large magnetic field that overwhelms the electrostatic force between electrons and nuclei, causing a flame propagation phenomenon, and at that time, fine particles and specific impurities can be carbonized.

[0099] During operation, electrostatic forces generated by the device adsorb PM10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic properties that cut 50% of particles with a diameter of 10 μm) and heavy metals, solidify them, and process them. The solid material is then removed during downtime, resulting in a simple operating technique.

[0100] Furthermore, the present invention can be used to treat various mixed harmful gases generated during the combustion process of fossil fuels, such as airborne microorganisms like mold and bacteria, as well as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and complex gases.

[0101] When a gliding arc occurs within the device, it is preferable that the ultraviolet and visible light sparks form a tornado shape, and that a continuous series of swirling, radial sparks follows.

[0102] Under atmospheric pressure and high humidity, operating energy consumption decreases, resulting in lower power consumption. However, the reduction in electrical dielectric strength during the processing of complex mixed materials, combined with the effect of moisture, increases the amount of electrostatic force generated, which determines the efficiency of the device, thus resulting in high-efficiency performance.

[0103] Unlike conventional technologies that performed instantaneous emission without plasma extinction during gliding arcs, this technology achieves a stable reduction in fine, harmful gases.

[0104] The present invention, as described above, has the following effects.

[0105] 1. Effects of the gliding arc device To compare the effectiveness of removing atmospheric microorganisms, two types of plasma treatment devices were fabricated.

[0106] The first apparatus was a flow-through plasma treatment device (Figure 8(a)) in which indoor air passed through a gliding arc plasma discharge section at a constant flow rate of 100 LPM (liters per minute) and was collected in an impactor.

[0107] Using this apparatus, the treatment effect on indoor air microorganisms was investigated by varying the number of electrodes (e.g., one pair and four pairs). Using two impactors, plasma-treated and untreated air samples were collected (500L each) and compared and analyzed.

[0108] The second apparatus was a circulating plasma treatment device (Figure 8(b)) that used a 220L chamber to circulate indoor air (30 LPM) while repeatedly passing it through four pairs of plasma electrodes. Air circulated without plasma treatment (200L) was collected as a control group, and the effect of plasma on treating indoor air microorganisms was compared and evaluated.

[0109] a. Flow-through plasma processing apparatus (Figure 8(a)) When indoor air was treated using a flow-through plasma processing device equipped with a pair of electrodes, a population count of 68 CFU / 500L was observed, representing a 15% reduction compared to the untreated sample (80 CFU / 500L) (Experiment 1: Figure 9(a)).

[0110] In other indoor experiments, treating indoor air with a plasma treatment device resulted in a population of 26 CFU / 500L, a 40% reduction compared to the untreated sample (43 CFU / 500L) (Experiment 2: Figure 9(a)).

[0111] When indoor air was treated with a plasma processing device using four pairs of electrodes, a population count of 26 CFU / 500L was observed, representing a 30% reduction compared to the untreated sample (37 CFU / 500L) (Experiment 1: Figure 9(b)). Furthermore, in another indoor experiment, treating indoor air with a plasma processing device resulted in a population count of 22 CFU / 500L, a 50% reduction compared to the untreated sample (44 CFU / 500L) (Experiment 2: Figure 9(b)).

[0112] As a result, while increasing the number of electrodes did increase the effectiveness of treating indoor air microorganisms from 15% to 40% to 30% to 50%, this increase was somewhat lower compared to the increase in the number of electrodes.

[0113] i. Circulating plasma treatment apparatus (Figure 8(b)) When indoor air was treated with a circulating plasma treatment system for 10 minutes, the number of atmospheric microorganisms decreased from 49 CFU / 200L to 8 CFU / 200L, a reduction of 83.7% (see table below). Furthermore, when the treatment time was extended to 30 minutes, the number of atmospheric microorganisms decreased to 2 CFU / 200L, a reduction of 95.9%. These results suggest that circulating plasma treatment systems may be even more effective than flow-through plasma treatment systems for treating indoor atmospheric microorganisms.

[0114] [Table 3]

[0115] 2. The effectiveness of an appropriate oxygen supply system Oxygenation (oxygen treatment or oxygenation) is a concept that improves oxygen supply and has a positive impact on human bodily functions and health. A sufficient supply of oxygen generally produces the following effects. These effects may vary depending on individual physical characteristics.

[0116] Increased energy production: Oxygen is necessary for generating energy in metabolic processes within our bodies. A sufficient supply of oxygen promotes metabolism, increases energy production, and improves activity levels and physical strength.

[0117] Strengthening the immune system: Proper oxygen supply strengthens the immune system, promotes antioxidant effects, and prevents cell damage caused by oxygen free radicals. This can help prevent disease and improve recovery.

[0118] Improved brain function: The brain is one of the organs in our body that consumes a large amount of oxygen. A sufficient supply of oxygen improves brain function and enhances concentration, memory, and cognitive abilities.

[0119] Improved athletic performance: Proper oxygen supply ensures that muscles receive sufficient oxygen during exercise, resulting in improved endurance and reduced muscle fatigue. This can contribute to improved athletic performance and enhanced recovery.

[0120] Promoting deep sleep: Adequate oxygen supply improves sleep quality, which can help in reaching a deep, restful sleep stage during sleep.

Claims

1. A device for removing harmful environmental substances using a plasma generator (10) comprising a cylindrical external electrode (11) and an internal electrode (12) provided inside the external electrode and having a reaction space (10a) between it and the external electrode, A plasma-based device for removing harmful environmental substances using tokamak technology is provided, characterized in that a high-voltage supply device (20) for supplying a DC high voltage is further provided outside the cylindrical external electrode in order to generate an electrically quasi-neutral gas that exhibits collective behavior inside the reaction space (10a), and the air to be treated is passed through the reaction space, thereby decomposing harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and unburned carbon that are saturated in the passing air.

2. A device for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to apply the tokamak technology described in claim 1, characterized in that the external electrode (11) is aluminum-plated on its exterior and the internal electrode (12) is made of a special steel plate with an iron core steel plate embedded inside.

3. The high-voltage supply device (20) is provided to prevent the plasma state from temporarily disappearing during the process of generating a gliding arc to generate plasma while the device is operating to process contaminants passing through the device. The high-voltage supply device (20) is The external electrode is wound around the outer circumference and has an outer covering, and the electrically insulated soft copper wire (21) A DC power supply (22) that supplies DC power to the aforementioned electrically insulated soft copper wire, A variable resistor (23) connected in series with the DC power supply, A device for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology described in claim 1 is applied, characterized by comprising the above. delete

4. The device for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology described in claim 1 is applied is characterized in that the internal electrode (12) has a blade-shaped cross-section to generate a gliding arc, thereby increasing the length of the arc and extending the reaction time with respect to the substance to be treated.

5. A method for removing hazardous environmental substances using plasma, using a plasma-based hazardous environmental substance removal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma with tokamak technology, characterized in that a high DC voltage is applied by the aforementioned high-voltage supply device to perform ionization, electrons are accelerated to the anode and secondary electrons are emitted, electrons with relatively high energy ionize the gas again to generate more ions, and a gliding arc is generated by the Mann effect.

6. Inside the reaction space, CO ２ And, steam and CH ４ Further supply of the mixed gas, H ２ and CO ２ A method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology described in claim 5 is applied, characterized in that it is reformed to enable the conversion of chain-like hydrocarbons into cyclic hydrocarbons.

7. From the aforementioned changed cyclic hydrocarbons, H ２ A method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology described in claim 6 is applied, characterized in that the substance is separated and compressed so that it can be used as fuel for rotating engines such as vehicles.

8. A method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology described in claim 6 is applied, characterized in that the modified cyclic hydrocarbon can be used to adhere to refrigerators or low-temperature refrigeration equipment to suppress the growth and development of plants, or to temporarily delay the full bloom of flowers in flower farmers to extend the preservation period of their form, or can be used as air in the vinyl containers used to package them.

9. A method for removing harmful environmental substances using plasma to which the tokamak technology described in claim 5 is applied, characterized in that when atoms or molecules with sufficient energy collide and become excited and float, the molecules are converted into vibrational rotational energy, and the light emitted when they transition to the ground state, ranging from ultraviolet to visible light, can be used for the elimination of bacteria, the inhibition of bacterial growth and cultivation, and the removal and antimicrobial action of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

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