Removal of suspended oxides and conversion of compounds in the gas back into elemental substances.

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are described that can remove particulates and / or oxide compounds from a fluid medium, convert at least a portion of the oxide compounds to elemental and / or allotropic substances, and collect them for further use in other applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to Related Applications) This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 337255, filed on May 2, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the treatment of industrial emissions, combustion gases, atmospheric gases, and other gaseous or liquid fluids (e.g., water) for removing pollutants and / or nanoparticles, dissociating pollutants present in the form of oxides, and simultaneously producing and discharging allotropes and other elemental materials.

Background Art

[0003] The atmospheric environment and the ambient environment have been increasingly polluted due to various different natural phenomena and the discharge of artificial pollutants into air and water by industrialized countries around the world. General examples of artificial pollutants discharged into the air include suspended compounds (e.g., gases and / or fine particles) generated by combustion in industrial processes such as hydrocarbon combustion power plants, incinerators, various smelting operations, nitric acid and sulfuric acid plants, and internal combustion engines. Most of such pollutants contain oxidation products of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, lead, zinc, and other elements. For example, coal contains various trace impurities including lead, zinc, silver, etc., and when coal burns, not only the carbon in the coal but also these impurities are oxidized. Sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides are generated by the combustion of fuels containing sulfur compounds and fuels containing nitrogen compounds, form acids that cause acid rain, and become increasingly serious environmental problems.

[0004] Numerous approaches have been developed to treat combustion products from hydrocarbon power plants, incinerators, industrial processes, and internal combustion engines, controlling the emission of suspended particulate matter from these sources. For example, coal-fired power plants often employ scrubbing processes using calcium compounds, which react with sulfur oxides to produce gypsum. Unfortunately, the considerable amount of waste products generated by such scrubbing processes presents a serious disposal problem. Where possible, low-sulfur coal is used in coal-fired power plants to reduce the need for scrubbing, but this increases the cost of power generation. Alternatively, emitted sulfur oxides can be reduced by operating the plant at lower temperatures, but this leaves some of the coal's calorific value unused.

[0005] Another approach to treating such emissions is to use electrostatic precipitators to enhance the removal of particulate matter, with various types of ionizers used to generate ions that adhere to the particulate matter. The resulting charged particles are then collected within the electrostatic precipitator. However, such a process cannot capture nano-sized particulate matter (e.g., particles smaller than 1 micrometer in size).

[0006] Unfortunately, previous approaches to controlling the introduction of airborne particulate matter generated by combustion have one or more serious problems. For example, previous approaches have failed to reduce emissions to acceptable levels, are very expensive to build or operate, are energy inefficient, and store molecules rather than convert them into useful elemental components. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided for removing a compound from a fluid medium and converting at least a portion of the compound into elemental matter. The apparatus comprises an electrode bed including a plurality of conductive electrode needles protruding from the surface of the electrode bed, the electrode needles being connected to a voltage source. The apparatus further comprises a water overflow panel, spaced apart from the electrode needles of the electrode bed and including a surface over which water flows during operation, the electrode needles extending toward the surface of the water overflow panel, and the reaction zone is defined as a space separating the surface of the water overflow panel from the electrode needles protruding from the electrode bed. A water source supplies a flow of water to the reaction zone along the surface of the water overflow panel, the water source including an inlet for supplying a source fluid containing impurities mixed in the fluid to the reaction zone, and an outlet for facilitating the transport of a purified fluid, the purified fluid containing fewer impurities than the source fluid, and the power supply is applied with electrical energy of 30 kilovolts (kV) to 100 kV at a pulse frequency greater than 24,000 hertz (Hz). In the operation in which electrical energy is applied from the power source to the electrode needle, water is flowed from the water source along the surface of the water overflow panel, the source fluid is flowed into the reaction zone, impurities mixed in the source fluid are removed and converted into elemental components, and then mixed into the water.

[0008] In other exemplary embodiments, systems comprising one or more devices are described herein. These devices may be installed in series and / or parallel with respect to the flow of water and / or source fluid through the devices in the system with respect to other devices in the system.

[0009] In further exemplary embodiments, methods for removing particulate matter and oxides, dissociating oxides from a fluid medium, and converting oxides into elements and / or anisotropic materials are provided as shown and described herein.

[0010] For example, a method for removing a compound from a fluid medium and converting at least a portion of the compound into elemental substances includes the steps of: guiding water to flow along the surface of a water overflow panel in a apparatus; applying electrical energy to a plurality of conductive electrode needles protruding from the surface of an electrode bed, wherein the electrode bed is aligned with the water overflow panel such that the electrode bed extends toward the surface of the water overflow panel, and a reaction zone is defined as a space separated from the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode needles protruding from the electrode bed; and guiding the source fluid into a reaction zone defined between the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode needles protruding from the electrode bed while applying electrical energy of a negative voltage of 30 kilovolts (kV) to 100 kV at a pulse frequency greater than 24,000 hertz (Hz) to the electrode needles to remove impurities mixed in the source fluid and convert the removed impurities into elemental components mixed in the water flowing along the surface of the water overflow panel.

[0011] The above and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by considering the detailed description of the following specific embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a partial perspective view as described in this specification.

[0013] [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a side view of the device.

[0014] [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an exploded side view of the device.

[0015] [Figure 4] This is a diagram of the side wall portion of the apparatus, including the electrode bed and the corresponding water flow overflow panel.

[0016] [Figure 5]It is a diagram of the planar reaction surface of an electrode bed having a plurality of electrodes for the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0017] [Figure 6] It is a first side view in a partial cross-section of a system including a plurality of apparatuses as shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] [Figure 7] It is an enlarged partial cross-sectional perspective view of the first side of the system of FIG.

[0019] [Figure 8] It is an enlarged partial cross-sectional perspective view of the second side (opposite side of the first side) of the system of FIG. 6.

[0020] Like reference numbers are used throughout the present disclosure to identify like elements.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and like numerals indicate like parts throughout. By way of example, embodiments that can be implemented are shown. It should be understood that other embodiments can be utilized and structural or logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the following detailed description should not be construed in a limiting sense, and the scope of the embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0022] Aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in the accompanying description. Alternative embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents can be conceived without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Note that the descriptions herein regarding "one embodiment", "embodiment", "exemplary embodiment", etc. indicate that the described embodiments may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, and it should be noted that such specific features, structures, or characteristics may not necessarily be included in all embodiments. In addition, references to the previous description do not necessarily include references to the same embodiment. Finally, whether explicitly described or not, those skilled in the art can utilize the specific features, structures, and characteristics of a particular embodiment in relation to, or in combination with, those of any other embodiment described herein.

[0023] In the most useful way to understand the claimed subject matter, various operations can be described sequentially as a plurality of individual actions or operations. However, the order of the description should not be construed as indicating that these operations are necessarily order-dependent. In particular, these operations do not need to be performed in the order described. The described operations may be performed in an order different from the described embodiments. In additional embodiments, various operations may be added and performed, and / or the described operations may be omitted.

[0024] In the present disclosure, the phrase "A and / or B" means (A), (B), or (A and B). In the present disclosure, the phrase "A, B, and / or C" means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0025] In the present disclosure, terms such as "consisting of", "including", "having", etc. used with respect to embodiments are synonymous.

[0026] This specification describes, but is not limited to, apparatus, systems, and methods for producing elemental materials (including fullerenes and other nano-sized materials or materials having a particle size of 1 micrometer or less), and includes partially functionalized elemental materials, liquids (e.g., water), atmospheric or environmental gases such as exhaust gases, feedstocks, and any combination of gaseous and liquid fluids (e.g., a mixture of contaminated water and contaminated air). For example, the feedstock may include a fluid medium such as a gas, a liquid, or a combination of gas and liquid. Specifically, this specification describes apparatus, systems, and methods for treating airflows containing pollutants generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, waste, etc., by electrochemical and / or electrophysical processes, reducing oxidation to solid elemental materials (e.g., nano-sized particulate matter having a particle size of 1 micrometer or less) and water, and removing elemental materials from the airflow. The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein facilitate the recovery of useful solids and / or other elemental materials (e.g., certain nano-sized materials), including, but not limited to, elemental carbon (including fullerenes), elemental sulfur, elemental iron, elemental gold, elemental magnesium, elemental isotopes, etc., from airflow, and in various forms, also enable the production of novel products and fuels.

[0027] Furthermore, the removal of elemental materials from oxide gases and / or particulate combustion products allows for the release of filtered, purified, and significantly improved quality air into the surrounding environment with high energy efficiency. The elemental materials formed by the embodiments described herein may be nanoscale and may include, for example, particulate matter having dimensions of 1 micrometer or less. In specific applications utilizing the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein, even particulate matter smaller than 5 micrometers or smaller than 1 micrometer in size can be captured from exhaust gases, these particulate matter can be concentrated into elemental form and separated from the emitted gas, enabling the purification of these compounds. Moreover, allotropes of the elemental materials obtained from the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein can be selectively formed as (for example, the element carbon may be graphene, graphite, fullerene, and / or carbon nanotubes of various sizes / numbers of carbon atoms, e.g., C60+, C70+, etc.).

[0028] Gases purified by the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein can be introduced for use in various sectors of the economy, including, but not limited to, microbiological, industrial, commercial, and medical applications.

[0029] Methods for purifying and sterilizing atmospheric air using this apparatus and system can be used for household facilities, medical institutions, schools, and preschool organizations. For example, this system and apparatus can be installed to purify process gases in the ferrous and non-ferrous metals, chemical and petrochemical, construction, energy and fuel industries; to purify inorganic emissions of hazardous substances in manufacturing plants and other facilities of enterprises in the treatment of waste by incineration and in industries that burn hydrocarbon fuels for technical purposes; and to eliminate the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere from boilers operating on liquid fuels. This installation can be configured to operate in a production site with utilities and electricity supplied, using a prepared concrete base. By using modular units, it is possible to eliminate the construction of a chimney for gas purifying. This system is further expandable for a variety of emissions.

[0030] According to embodiments described herein, the dissociation of oxide compounds (e.g., in gaseous or particulate / solid form) is achieved, for example, by washing and sterilizing a gaseous and / or liquid medium with a pulsed high-voltage discharge exceeding 24,000,000 Hz. The high-voltage discharge can be generated via electrodes provided in a reaction zone, which also includes a water surface or water interface in contact with or in communication with air or other gaseous and / or liquid media. The reaction zone can be formed between a deposition electrode supplied with a continuous flow of water and an electrode made of electrically interconnected needles, the electrodes supplied with a suitable negative power source, for example, 30 to 100 kilovolts (kV) (e.g., 30 to 80 kV), to cause the desired dissociation and separation of oxide compounds in the gaseous medium into solid and / or other elemental materials, separating the elemental materials from the gaseous medium and flowing them into a continuous flow of water.

[0031] The reaction zone may be located within an apparatus comprising a housing having pipes for the medium to be cleaned entering and exiting, and electrodes for supplying a high voltage. One of the electrodes may be formed by two planes having a water pocket for water overflow, and a second electrode may be formed by electrically interconnected needles and connected to a high-voltage power supply (where the needles are integrated to collectively define the electrode). The needles of the second electrode may be fixed on an injector, the surface of which may include, but is not limited to, one or more flat surfaces, one or more curved (convex, concave, etc.) surfaces, and surfaces including planar and curved portions. In the non-limiting exemplary embodiments described herein, the electrode needles extend substantially vertically within the housing of the apparatus but are coupled to two planes (or curved surfaces) extending at a selected angle from vertical (i.e., perpendicular with respect to the height dimension of the housing). The needles may further be arranged in an alternating order along the planar reaction surface (also described herein as an electrode bed), and the injector may be made of a dielectric material. In addition, as described herein, the needles can be coated with materials suitable for enhancing ionization and oxide dissociation processes.

[0032] The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein for extracting and converting components from a gaseous medium into elemental components are based on the discovery of the activating factor of the discharge in the tip region of the needle, thereby determining the process of all physicochemical processes in a gas purification plant and causing the electrochemical and / or electrophysical conversion of components into chemical elements. The process occurring in near-electrode fouling is considered novel and is referred to herein as the plaron reaction. Plaron is a single cycle of interphase transition states with the release and absorption of thermal energy. The processes associated with the systems and apparatus described herein can be characterized as rapid interphase endothermic and exothermic transition reactions caused by electrical energy applied to an electrode needle, for example, with a pulse of 0.1 to 10 MHz, a negative voltage of 30 to 100 kilovolts (kV), and a frequency of 0.1 to 150 mA above 24,000 Hz.

[0033] The following describes exemplary embodiments of apparatus and systems used for filtering, washing, and purifying a gaseous medium while converting the components extracted from the medium into elemental components, with reference to the figures.

[0034] Referring to Figures 1-5, the apparatus includes a housing and structure configured to receive a gaseous medium (e.g., waste from an industrial plant), converting oxidized compounds into elemental materials, and recovering such elemental materials in a water flow. Apparatus 100 includes an electrode bed 112 and an air inlet panel and louver wall 113, and includes a frame 102 and a crossbeam 106 that support the components of the apparatus. The high-voltage isolator support apparatus includes an insulator 107 that extends from the crossbeam 106 and is therefore also supported by the crossbeam 106. The crossbeam 106 and the voltage isolator support apparatus support the upper panel 109, the electrode bed 112 and the louver wall 113. A pair of outer walls 114 are provided on each side including the louver wall 113, where each outer wall 114 is spaced a small distance from the corresponding louver wall 113 to allow airflow between the two walls (as a result, air can enter the slits in the louver wall 113 during operation). Each electrode bed 112 includes a plurality of electrodes 180 arranged as shown in Figure 5 and further described herein. An air vent 108 is provided in communication with the upper panel 109 to facilitate the flow of gas and / or air from the apparatus.

[0035] A conduit or pipe 120 supplies cleaning medium to the needle electrodes of the electrode beds via a valve 122, through nozzles 124 directed along each electrode bed 112 at various positions on the electrode beds to clean the needle electrodes at a selected time. The apparatus 100 includes a pair of electrode beds 112, each having a generally rectangular planar shape, aligned within the apparatus on both sides of the housing 102, and angled toward each other in the manner described herein. Each electrode bed 112 includes a plurality of electrodes 180 extending laterally outward from the planar reaction surface of the bed 112 and toward the corresponding water overflow panel 132. In this configuration, the electrode beds 112 are aligned toward each other such that the planar reaction surfaces of each bed 112 (from which the electrodes 180 protrude) face and gradually separate from the planar reaction surface of the other bed 112. The electrodes 180 of each electrode bed 112 extend toward the corresponding water overflow panel 132 aligned with the bed 112, but are spaced apart by an appropriate distance. While the reaction surfaces of the illustrated electrode beds are generally flat or planar in configuration, it should be noted that the apparatus can be modified to include any suitable reaction surfaces for one or more electrode beds that are planar, curved, or a combination of planar and curved. In other exemplary embodiments, the electrode beds may have a funnel-shaped curvature, with electrodes extending from the reaction surfaces of one or more rounded electrode beds.

[0036] A water supply conduit or water supply pipe 126 supplies inlet water (e.g., water from the floating tank 212 when the apparatus is implemented in the system described herein) to the reaction zone within the apparatus 100 during operation. Specifically, a pair of water supply structures 128 are located on each side of the housing 102, corresponding to the location of the electrode bed 112. Each water supply structure 128 includes an upper water pocket 130 (e.g., a reservoir or trough), a water overflow panel 132, and a lower water collection pocket 136 (e.g., a reservoir or trough). Each upper water pocket 130 is connected to the outlet end of the corresponding water supply pipe 126 located at or near the top of the housing 102. When water from the pipe 126 fills the upper water pocket 130, the upper water pocket 130 eventually overflows, allowing the water to flow downward through the reaction surface of the corresponding water overflow panel 132. Each water overflow panel 132 is generally parallel to the corresponding electrode bed 112 and is therefore angled inward as it extends from the top or upper side to the bottom or lower side of the housing 102 for the apparatus 100. Similar to the reaction surface of the electrode bed, each water overflow panel is shown in the drawings as having a reaction surface (i.e., a surface over which water flows) that is generally flat or planar. However, the apparatus can be easily modified to include one or more water overflow panels, and the reaction surface can have a curved configuration or a combination of planar and curved configurations.

[0037] During operation, water flows from pipe 126 to the upper water pocket 130 at the top of the device, filling the pocket 130, then overflowing from the pocket 130 and flowing down along the overflow panel 132. Corresponding lower water pockets 136 are positioned at the bottom edges of each electrode bed 112 and the corresponding bottom edges of the corresponding water overflow panel 132 to capture and retain water as it is discharged from the overflow panel 132. This allows the water to flow uniformly during operation through the water overflow panel 132 and the proximal needle electrodes 180 connected to each electrode bed 112 and extending toward (but separated from) the corresponding plane 13.

[0038] For example, as shown in Figures 2-4, the reaction surface of each electrode bed 112 (including the electrode 180) faces the reaction surface (the surface through which water flows) of the corresponding water overflow panel 132, and the two reaction surfaces are spaced apart by a distance suitable to allow a gaseous fluid (e.g., air with oxidizing compounds such as carbon dioxide and sulfur oxides) to flow through the housing 102 and spread between the layer of water flowing along the reaction surface of the water overflow panel 132 and the reaction surface of the corresponding electrode bed 112 including the electrode 180. The water flows from the top to the bottom of each water overflow panel 132, and therefore from the top to the bottom of the apparatus. A water return conduit or pipe 138 is connected to the lower water pocket 136 to collect the water flowing out of the lower water pocket and send it to a suitable collection tank or collection site (e.g., a floating tank 212 in system 200, which is described in more detail herein).

[0039] The gaseous fluid flow processed by the apparatus 100 enters the housing 102 through an inlet at the bottom or base of the housing. The gaseous fluid inlet to the housing 102 is located at the bottom of the apparatus 100 and can also flow through a lower hood or register (e.g., a register 204 as shown in system 200 in Figures 6-8). The gaseous fluid flows through the housing 102, including the electrode bed 112 and the water overflow panel 132 (including water flowing along such a plane 132), and exits at or near the top of each apparatus (e.g., through panel 109 via air vent 108). In this way, the gaseous fluid flows in the opposite direction to the water flow within the apparatus during operation.

[0040] Referring to Figures 3-5, each electrode bed 112 includes a plurality of electrodes 180 arranged in one or more suitable arrays along the reaction surface of the bed 112. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes two electrode beds 112 formed as planes spaced apart from each other and positioned non-parallel to each other at angles toward each other, with each bed inclined toward each other (i.e., each bed is inclined and not perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the apparatus), and the distance between the beds decreases from the top to the bottom of the apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid flow and apparatus may be configured so that the distance between the beds can increase from the top to the bottom of the apparatus.

[0041] The electrodes 180 of each bed 112 include electrically interconnected needles connected to a high-voltage power supply via an injector (not shown) to supply electrical energy from the power supply to the electrode needles during operation. The injector is connected to a high-voltage insulator support device including an insulator 107. The electrode needles are spaced apart from each other and placed on each electrode bed 12 in an appropriate arrangement (e.g., in an alternating order as shown in Figure 5). The injector is made of a dielectric material and is a three-dimensional hollow body. The needles can be made of stainless steel or any other suitable conductive metal or other material. The needles forming the electrodes 180 can be of any suitable dimensions. In exemplary embodiments, the needles can be about 30 mm to about 50 mm in length (e.g., about 40 mm in length) and have a diameter (or cross-section) in the range of about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm (e.g., a diameter of about 0.8 mm). In addition, rows of needles can be defined within an array of electrodes (for example, here the rows are defined by any set of electrodes extending along a virtual line in the array), and the spacing between electrode needles is set to improve the performance of the electrode bed during operation of the device. In a preferred embodiment, the spacing between any two consecutive electrode needles in a row can be in the range of about 15 mm to about 30 mm, more preferably about 18 mm to about 25 mm (e.g., about 22 mm). In addition, electrode needles in one row of the array are staggered (i.e., not aligned) with respect to electrode needles in another consecutive row.

[0042] An array of needle electrodes 180 can be provided and / or formed on each electrode bed 112 in any suitable manner. In an exemplary embodiment, each needle forming the electrode 180 can be inserted through an insulated #16 gauge stranded conductor wire, the needle breaking the outer insulation of the wire and making close contact with the conductive strands within the wire. Each wire can be connected to a high-voltage power supply to pass current through each needle during operation. The planar structure of each electrode bed 112 can be constructed of an insulating material of suitable rigidity, such as ABS (acrylonitrile, butadiene, styrene), plastic, or other suitable insulating polymer material. The planar structure of each electrode bed can be manufactured using holes perforated in any suitable pattern or array to directly receive the needles protruding from the opposite end of the wire. By making close contact with the wire, each needle becomes part of a larger array that is directly coupled to the high-voltage power supply via the wire, thereby forming geometrically spaced and combined needle electrodes. This electrode creates an electric field within the reaction zone 190 between the electrode bed 112 and the corresponding water overflow panel 132 reaction surface.

[0043] The needles can be coupled to the planar structure of the electrode bed manually (e.g., by hand) or preferably through any suitable automated process (e.g., utilizing conventional factory assembly methods). In alternative embodiments, techniques similar to those used to form wiring or printed circuit boards can also be used to form the electrode bed. For example, a copper-clad glass fiber substrate material with very high rated fire resistance can be used. Furthermore, since glass fibers have high electrical resistance, they have a high dielectric constant that allows them to retain the electric field without breaking down in the presence of high voltage and without becoming current conductors. The copper-clad glass fiber substrate can be manufactured by bonding thin continuous layers of copper onto a large sheet of glass fibers. The wiring pattern is formed by using chemical etching to remove copper that is not in the wiring pattern area. Perforated holes through the planar structure can receive the needles, and the holes allow the needles to contact the wiring in the planar structure, completing the electrical connection with the high-voltage power supply (based on the electrical coupling of the wiring with the power supply).

[0044] In another exemplary embodiment, the electrode needles are mounted in a row and connected in series along a continuous solid conductor, with each needle crimped to the series conductor. This requires only one crimp per electrode so that the electrode connects to the solid conductor, significantly improving the performance of the electrode bed and preventing the generation of electric arcs during operation in the device.

[0045] The needles of each electrode bed 112 may also include a coating that can reduce electrical resistivity, provide excellent adhesion to the substrate, exhibit good wear characteristics, and withstand temperatures from -30°C to 1400°C. In certain applications, some metals used in the coating can further enhance the ionization and / or plaron reaction, which dissociates oxide compounds into elemental (and / or anisotropic) materials by acting as a catalyst for the reaction. The coating can be formed on the needle as follows: the solution is planned with a polymetallic alloy produced by electroless nickel technology. The solution may contain a nickel cation source, which can be reduced using boron or phosphorus. Complexing agents and reducing agents can be added to control the plating rate. Additional metal cation sources can be added to produce co-deposited alloys.

[0046] The material deposited on the needle forming the electrode 180 may include any one or more of nickel, tungsten, boron, copper, and carbon (e.g., carbon nanoparticles and / or coarse carbon particles). In exemplary embodiments, the deposited material may include two or more of nickel, tungsten, boron, copper, and carbon (e.g., carbon nanoparticles and / or coarse carbon particles). In certain exemplary embodiments, the deposited material may contain nickel mainly or substantially (i.e., more than 50% by weight of the deposited material), tungsten in amounts of 3% to 6% by weight of the deposited material, boron in amounts of 1% to 3% by weight of the deposited material, copper in amounts of 0.5% to 1% by weight of the deposited material, and carbon in amounts of 1% to 3.5% by weight of the deposited material. For example, carbon may be present as carbon nanoparticles (e.g., particles less than 1 micron in size) in amounts of 0.05% to 0.20% by weight of the deposited material, and as coarse carbon particles (e.g., particles less than 1 micron in size) in amounts of 1% to 3% by weight. Using an electroless nickel plating solution, a deposit containing one or more of the material components described herein can be formed. The plating bath can be prepared according to the coating conditions for use in the final product. The conditions for operating the electroless nickel bath depend on the final thickness of the plating, the form of the coating, and the incorporation of alloying materials.

[0047] The high-voltage source supplying electrical energy to the electrodes 180 of the electrode bed 112 may include a high-voltage (HV) surge arrester that suppresses arc generation and flashover from corona discharge associated with the high-voltage source, which generates an electromotive force (EMF), creating photoplasma conditions near the reaction zone of the dissociation of oxide compounds and elemental material capture processes. The HV surge arrester may consist of multiple 33,000-ohm, 5-watt resistors having ceramic bodies, which are immersed in automotive power transmission oil and placed in a plastic container that provides high isolation to prevent external arc discharge. The oil performs a similar function to transformer oil, providing insulation by increasing the dielectric constant, increasing insulating performance, suppressing arc and corona discharge, and improving cooling performance. Generally, resistors are components that obstruct the flow of current in a circuit, thereby dissipating the heat generated by the current flowing through them. For example, to produce a total resistance of one million ohms (1 megaohm) as an HV surge arrester, a configuration can be used in series of 31 resistors, each having a resistance of 33,000 ohms and a power handling capacity of 155 watts of continuous power consumption. This configuration is particularly effective for using electrode arrays for electrode beds where only one crimp is required for each electrode (i.e., each needle is crimped into a series conductor), as it effectively eliminates the possibility of electric arc discharge during operation. Other configurations are also possible to increase the resistance of the entire array. HV surge arresters increase the total resistance proportionally to the number of resistors by using multiple resistors arranged in series, so that the ends of the individual resistors are physically and therefore electrically connected. Another role of the resistors in this surge arrester is power handling. All resistors are ranked according to the degree of safe power loss they can operate with. The 5-watt rating for each resistor is a measure of how much power the resistor can handle without creating stress at the junction with the ceramic body or the connecting wires to the ceramic body. Power dissipation within electronic components manifests as radiant heat, and therefore, each 5-watt resistor connected in series increases the available surface area to allow for heat dissipation, thus increasing the power handling capacity by 5 watts.The transmission oil also provides a means of cooling the resistance array during operation.

[0048] The reaction zone 190 is defined between the reaction surface of each water overflow panel 132 and electrode needles (i.e., electrodes 180) protruding from corresponding electrode beds 112 that are aligned substantially parallel to the plane 132 along the opposing sides of the apparatus 100, spaced apart (but slightly offset from the parallel alignment, as shown in Figure 4 and as will be described in further detail herein). The flow of water through the pipe 126 is controlled during operation so as water flows down each plane 132 into the downward collection pocket 136, a continuous thin film of water is formed along the reaction surface of each water overflow panel 132. This continuous thin film of water along the reaction surface of each water overflow panel 132 functions as a liquid electrode in the reaction zone 190. The electrodes 180 of each electrode bed 112 in each reaction zone 190 are oriented toward the reaction surface and water film of the corresponding water overflow panel 132, spaced apart from the reaction surface and water film of the water overflow panel 132, and also function as an integrated electrode for high-voltage injection of the apparatus.

[0049] The distance or gap between the tip of the needle electrode 180 and the corresponding reaction surface of the water overflow panel 132 can be set and / or adjusted via any suitable suspension mechanism associated with the water supply structure 128 and / or via a suspension mechanism implemented in a high-voltage isolator support device supported by the support beam 106 and / or the support beam. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, this gap (i.e., reaction zone width) can be about 140 mm to about 150 mm.

[0050] Each water overflow panel 132 and the corresponding electrode bed 112 are aligned with each other, substantially parallel but not precisely parallel, and the width of the reaction zone varies along the direction of fluid flow through the reaction zone or along the length of the reaction zone. In particular, each water overflow panel 132 can extend from the upper panel 109 (or a plane parallel to the upper panel 109) at a first angle of about 69° to about 73° (e.g., about 71°) away from the longitudinal central axis of the housing 102. Each electrode bed 112 can extend from the upper panel 109 (or a plane parallel to the upper panel 109) at a second angle of about 65° to about 70° (e.g., about 67°) away from the longitudinal central axis of the housing 102. The first angle for each water overflow panel 132 is different from (e.g., greater than) the second angle for each electrode bed 112. As a result, the gap or distance between the tip of the electrode 180 and the corresponding reaction surface of each plane 132, defined as the reaction zone width, changes and decreases in the direction from the lower end or bottom of the housing 102 (width W1 as shown in Figure 4) to the upper end or upper panel 109 of the housing 109 (width W2 as shown in Figure 4). In an alternative embodiment, the reaction zone width decreases in the direction of the flow of the fluid containing the oxidizing compound through the reaction zone 190 (i.e., the reaction zone width decreases from the reaction zone inlet or bottom of the housing 102 to the upper panel 109 or the reaction zone outlet or top of the housing 102 near it). In another embodiment, this gap or distance (reaction zone width) can be increased in the direction of the fluid flow of the fluid containing the oxidizing compound through the reaction zone. In the method described herein, by varying the gap or distance (or reaction zone width) along the reaction zone 190, the gas (or other fluid) to be treated traverses the reaction zone from the inlet to the outlet of the apparatus 100, and the ionization and / or plaron reaction within the reaction zone is enhanced as oxidized compounds / particulate matter are removed from the gas and converted into elemental materials.

[0051] By applying an appropriate high voltage (via a high-voltage power supply) at an appropriate frequency and passing a current through electrode 180, the ionization and / or Plalon reaction of compounds entrained in the gaseous fluid supplied to apparatus 100 (via a hood or resistor) is promoted in reaction zone 190 (defined between the end of the electrode needle and the liquid electrode defined on the reaction surface of the water overflow panel). This results in the dissociation of the entrained compounds and the generation of elemental materials or components (e.g., elemental carbon, elemental sulfur, etc.) which are removed from the gaseous fluid and further captured and mixed into the flowing water that defines a continuous thin film of water along the reaction surface of each water overflow panel 132. The water exiting the lower water collection pocket 136 can be collected (e.g., in system 200 as described herein), and the elemental components can then be separated from the collected water for further processing and / or further used in other applications.

[0052] The operation of the apparatus is achieved by supplying a gaseous fluid containing entrained compounds to be removed from the gaseous fluid. For example, the gaseous fluid may include an exhaust air stream from a combustion process, where the exhaust air stream is entrained with oxidizing compounds, such as carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, lead oxides, zinc oxide, iron oxide, magnesium oxide, and silver oxide. As described herein, the apparatus is also capable of operating to process liquids (e.g., water) or fluids that are a combination of water and gas. A high-voltage source (e.g., a transformer high-voltage generator) is electrically connected to the electrodes 180 of the electrode bed 112 to apply a voltage in the range of 30kV to 100kV (e.g., 30kV to 80kV) at a high frequency (e.g., greater than 24,000Hz, preferably 0.1 to 10MHz) and to pass a current of 1 to 150mA through the reaction zone 190 of the apparatus 100.

[0053] A continuous thin film of water is supplied to the upper water pocket 130 along the surface of each overflow panel 132 (e.g., via a water circulation pump that delivers water to pipe 126) and then flows downward along each overflow panel 132. The flow of exhaust (or other fluid) containing oxidized particulate matter is guided at the bottom of the housing 102 to the apparatus 100 so that it flows through the reaction zone 190 (e.g., via a register). The apparatus 100 can process gaseous fluids at any desired temperature. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 100 can be used to process fluids directly at temperatures in the range of about 10°C to about 200°C or higher (e.g., about 30°C to about 90°C). Temperature control of the fluid can be achieved via a heat exchanger and / or via air directly captured from the ambient environment. For example, the louvered wall 113 facing the electrode bed 112 includes openings or slits to allow air to flow into the housing 102 from the surrounding area and then out through the air vent 108 at the upper panel 109, and this makeup air can be used to control the temperature in the reaction zone 190. The slits in the louvered wall 113 can be selectively adjusted to control the amount of air that can flow into the housing at any predetermined time during operation.

[0054] The exhaust flow entering the housing 102 from below (for example, via a register) fills the reaction zone 190 of the apparatus 100. Specifically, the exhaust flow enters the lower or bottom of the housing 102, flows upward into the reaction zone 190 within the housing 102, and then exits the apparatus 100 through the air vent 108 on the upper panel 109. An air curtain can be formed by providing an air curtain structure that forcibly flows air downward into the space between the outer wall 114 and the louver wall 113 (via a fan or blower, not shown), and the forcibly flowed air further flows through slits in the louver wall 113, creating a continuous flow of air to the central position near the bottom of the housing 102 into which the exhaust flow enters. This causes the exhaust to flow toward the opposing sides of the housing of the apparatus (as indicated by arrows in the system 200 shown in Figures 2 and 6) and then through the reaction zone 190.

[0055] In reaction zone 190, as a result of a high voltage applied between electrode 180 and a thin film of water (water film electrode) present along each water overflow panel 132, entrained oxide compounds in the exhaust are dissociated by ionization and / or a Pralon reaction to form elemental compounds (e.g., allotropes of such elemental compounds). The velocity of the exhaust air entering the reaction zone can be controlled (e.g., accelerated or decelerated) to enhance the interaction between the point source electrode 180 (needle tip) and the oxide compounds, thereby controlling the conversion of the oxide compounds to their elemental components (e.g., elemental carbon, elemental sulfur, elemental lead, elemental zinc, elemental magnesium, elemental silver, etc.). The elemental components formed by the dissociation of oxide compounds in the exhaust stream are further separated from the air stream and absorbed into a thin film of water defined by the water flowing along each water overflow panel 132. Elemental materials can also be separated, discarded, or processed as needed. Specific elemental components (e.g., graphite, graphene, fullerene, and / or elemental carbon in the form of nanotubes) can be utilized in other processes. The fluid, which does not contain oxidized compounds, exits the device through one or more outlets on the upper panel 109 of the housing 102.

[0056] Therefore, the apparatus 100 facilitates the processing of gases or other fluids within the reaction zone 190 of the apparatus in a flow from the bottom to the top of the apparatus, forming electrodes, and the water that collects the elemental material formed within the reaction zone 190 flows from the top to the bottom of the apparatus, or in the opposite direction to the process gas or fluid containing oxidized compounds (e.g., via gravity). Alternatively, the fluid to be processed and the water flow can be in the opposite direction to those described in the embodiments shown in the drawings, while still maintaining the opposite flows between the fluid to be processed and the water flow.

[0057] The apparatus can have any dimensions suitable for a particular application and can be based on the volume of fluid to be processed over a predetermined period.

[0058] In other embodiments, multiple devices can be connected in parallel or in series with respect to the flow of fluid through the devices. For example, devices can be connected in series in any number of devices such that the fluid containing the oxidizing compound flows from the outlet of one device to the inlets of the devices aligned in a continuous sequence. Alternatively, each device can be arranged so that it flows in parallel with respect to the flow of the fluid containing the oxidizing compound, so that each device processes a portion of the fluid separately and independently. Similarly, devices can be aligned so that they form a series or parallel flow with respect to the water flow (with the elemental material formed in the devices).

[0059] The system may house or be configured to house one or more devices (arranged in series and / or parallel with respect to the flow of a fluid containing oxidized compounds and / or water). In certain applications, arranging the devices in series with respect to the fluid being treated can achieve higher efficiency in removing oxidized compounds and converting them to elemental materials. In certain other applications, and depending on the volumetric flow rate required for treatment over a certain period, the devices may be arranged in parallel with respect to the flow of the fluid to be treated to ensure sufficient treatment of a large volume of fluid in a given time.

[0060] Referring to Figures 6-8, exemplary embodiments of a system 200 comprising multiple devices 100 are shown. This system 200 includes a roof assembly structure 201 and a housing having multiple vertically stacked units, containers, or compartments 202. The size of the compartments 202 can vary based on the size requirements of the devices 100 and / or other system components. In the exemplary embodiment, one or more (e.g., all) of the compartments 202 may be about 12 meters high (e.g., 40 feet high). The system 200 is described in relation to the processing of gaseous flows obtained from a combustion site 209. However, the system can be used with a wide variety of different types of gaseous flows (or liquid flows, or mixed gas-liquid flows) in conjunction with any other type of industrial system for atmospheric or direct air capture (DAC) purification (where the atmospheric is processed and purified of oxides, including, but not limited to, carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, and other oxidizing compounds).

[0061] The gas flow or combustion gas products obtained from the combustion site 209 are fed through the process flow path 217 (for example, through a suitable conduit or supply pipe) to a heat exchanger 203 located in one of the compartments 202. The heat exchanger 203 can be used to cool the gas products leaving the combustion site 209, and the energy captured from the heat transfer between the gas products and the refrigerant fluid of the heat exchanger 203 can be utilized in another process. The gas flow then leaving the heat exchanger 203 is led to another compartment 202 located above the compartment 202 that houses the heat exchanger 203. The compartment 202 above the heat exchanger compartment 202 houses a plurality of devices 100. The system 200 in Figure 2 shows four devices 100, and it should be noted that the system can be scaled in any way to include any appropriate number (e.g., one, two, three or more) of devices 100 used for washing / purifying the gas flow and removing and transforming / capturing elemental components of the material in the water stream flowing through the devices. The devices can also be arranged in any appropriate way within the system's container, with respect to any number of rows and / or columns of devices in the container. As previously mentioned, the devices 100 are arranged in parallel with respect to both the combustion gas and water flows within the devices.

[0062] The gas flow enters the manifold 220 from the outlet of the heat exchanger 203 through the conduit 219. The manifold 220 delivers the gas to each apparatus 100 at an inlet 204 (also called a register) located at the bottom or base of each apparatus. As shown in the partial cutaway view of one of the apparatuses 100 in Figure 6, and also as shown in Figure 2, the gas flows upward through each apparatus within the reaction zone 190 provided within the apparatus (as indicated by the arrows in the reaction zone 190), and the gas is in close proximity to and / or in contact with electrodes 180 located on electrode beds 112 that extend outward and into each reaction zone 190. The treated and purified air is released at the upper position of each apparatus 100 (e.g., from an air vent 108 in the upper panel 109 of the housing 102 for each apparatus). The purified air is discharged from the system 200 to the ambient or surrounding environment through a purified appropriate fluid discharge structure (e.g., one or more conduits in the roof assembly structure 201).

[0063] One or more air curtain blowers 208 are appropriately positioned with each device 100 to blow air between each louver wall 113 and the corresponding outer wall 114 of the device, where the air is blown downward within the housing 102 of each device 100, forcing the combustion gas flow to split at the inlet 204 and be directed through each reaction zone 190 (as indicated by the arrows in the partial cross-sectional view of device 100 in Figure 6).

[0064] The water recirculation system for system 200 includes a water pump 225, piping 126 supplying water to the apparatus 100 (via the upper water pocket 130), and an outlet or return pipe 226 returning water coming out of the apparatus (from the lower water collection pocket 136) to the collection tank 212. The operation of each apparatus is as previously described herein. Water with elemental material flows from each apparatus 100 (via the return pipe 226) to the collection tank 212, which may be configured to filter and / or separate and collect solid elemental material from the water for further processing. The filtered water, substantially free of elemental material and other solids, can then be recirculated via the water pump to the piping 126 and returned to the water inlet of apparatus 100.

[0065] The elemental components or materials filtered and / or separated from the collection tank 212 (e.g., fullerenes and / or carbon nanotubes, elemental carbon materials such as elemental sulfur materials) can be sent to the processing system 235, for example, via a chute 230. The processing system 235 can process the elemental materials in any suitable manner, including, but not limited to, modifying the materials according to a specific application. The collection tank 212 includes an air bubbler pump 207 and a pressurizer 206 connected to the tank 212, which can create bubbles in the water in the tank and improve the separation of elements and / or other solid materials (e.g., compounds containing carbon, sulfur, iron, etc.) from the water.

[0066] The system 200 further includes a cleaning solution for selectively cleaning electrodes in each device 100, and an electrode cleaning solution pump is installed to deliver the cleaning solution from the cleaning fluid reservoir 205 to each device 100 via cleaning fluid pipes 120 and valves 124 (for example, shown in Figures 1 and 6), and the solution is sent back into the reservoir 205 via a return pipe 213 and the pump, and then returned to the reservoir 205.

[0067] System 200 powerfully purifies gas by removing harmful impurities and particulate matter, including the oxidizing compounds described herein.

[0068] The operation of System 200 is described as follows: A contaminated gas stream (e.g., flue gas) flows into a chimney beneath or adjacent to another combustion site 209, including the gas scrubbing plant or System 200. Due to the action of auxiliary thrust, the gas stream passes through the tips of the electrodes 180 of the electrode beds 180 of each apparatus 100 at low or near-zero pressure. Using an air curtain delivered via an air curtain blower 208, an air wall is created through the slots in the louver wall 113, allowing the gaseous effluent to flow into the reaction zone 190 of the apparatus 100, after which the treated effluent is released into the atmosphere from the apparatus and System 200. Water electrodes for each apparatus 100 are formed by water flowing down from the upper pocket 130 through each water overflow panel 132 and serve as acceptors for extracted impurities. Water containing settled impurities (elemental materials and / or other solid materials) is collected in the lower water pocket 136 and then discharged by gravity through piping 226 to the DAF tank 212. This water is treated and filtered to remove solid materials. After filtering, the water is returned (through pipe 126) to the upper water pocket 130 for reuse by each device 100. A voltage of 30kV to 100kV (e.g., 30kV to 80kV) is applied to the injector electrode 180 from a high-voltage source (e.g., of the type described herein) and a current in the range of 0.1 to 150mA flows at a pulse frequency greater than 24,000Hz, preferably 0.1 to 10MHz.

[0069] Accordingly, the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein result in the removal of oxidized compounds from a gaseous stream containing contaminants and their conversion to elemental materials. The gaseous stream can be purified, and the elemental materials formed by the process utilizing the apparatus and / or system (including multiple apparatuses) can provide significant value for different applications.

[0070] The use of two separate reaction zones within each apparatus (each reaction zone provided between the water overflow panel and the corresponding electrode bed) enhances the processing of the fluid (purification and formation of elemental materials). In addition, the variation in the width of the reaction zone along the defined flow path between each electrode bed and the corresponding water overflow panel (where the width of the reaction zone decreases from the reaction zone inlet or bottom of the reaction zone to the reaction zone outlet or top of the housing) can enhance the ionization and / or plaron reaction of oxidized compounds in the fluid as the fluid flows along each reaction zone.

[0071] In alternative embodiments, a liquid stream (e.g., a water stream) can be purified by passing the liquid stream through a reaction zone of an apparatus or a system comprising multiple such apparatuses, similar to the method described herein for gas streams, by removing particulate matter and oxides from the liquid stream and converting oxides in the liquid stream into elemental and / or anisotropic substances before removing particulate matter and oxides from the liquid stream. Furthermore, mixed streams of gas and liquid streams can also be processed by apparatuses and systems utilizing the same techniques as described herein.

[0072] The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein also facilitate the highly efficient washing away of all oxides, particulate matter, dust, mold, fungal spores, and bacteria from an input flow of air or other gases and / or liquids. The airflow or discharge flow enters the bottom region of the apparatus. In exemplary embodiments of the system (for example, as shown in Figures 6-8), the reaction zone is provided with four open channels (e.g., four apparatuses in parallel) and further divided into eight upward-flowing subchannels (two reaction zones per apparatus) where oxides are treated by ionization and / or Pralon reactions that recombine the oxides into solid elemental materials containing allotropes of elemental materials such as graphene, graphite, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes, and sulfur allotropes. Oxygen and nitrogen can be released in the form of inert gases by dissociation reactions within the reaction zone, and these inert gases are released into the atmosphere as the apparatus and system exit with the treated air.

[0073] In the reaction process occurring near the electrode, fouling and high-voltage discharge occur, releasing electrons that collide with molecules of the contaminating components, exciting them and destroying their structure. As a result, a method is obtained for electrochemically and / or electrophysically converting oxides into solid chemical elements. Interphase exothermic and endothermic reactions occur in each zone above the needle tip, which significantly enhances the conversion process.

[0074] As mentioned above, high-voltage processing conditions (for example, a current in the range of 0.1 to 150 mA flowing at a frequency exceeding 24,000 Hz, preferably in the range of 0.1 to 10 MHz) can be applied to the electrodes of the electrode bed, resulting in a conversion efficiency of up to 99.95% for carbon oxides, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, etc.

[0075] By utilizing high-voltage discharge within the reaction zone of the apparatus and / or system, resonant exposure can be used to disinfect and / or purify various viruses and bacteria in the air, resulting in high-quality air purification. Periodic external exposure causes a rapid increase in the amplitude of the steady-state oscillations of microorganisms. When the frequency for external influence matches the frequency characteristics of the microorganisms, microbial destruction occurs. Simultaneously, within the voltage and current ranges described herein, conditions are created for the generation of resonance that has a harmful effect on viruses and microorganisms. Oxides, dust, aerosols, bacteria, and viruses are dissociated by more than 90% from the air. In addition, VOCs, furans, and dioxins are also dissociated in this process. Due to the resonance, further effects are added to the chemical bonds of the contaminants, resulting in the breakdown of chemical bonds and the neutralization of toxic substances.

[0076] Fullerenes are valuable elemental materials that can be recovered using the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein. Fullerenes are high-value chains and industrially important forms of carbon, containing large closed-cage molecules composed of 60 or more SP2 hybridized carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal and pentagonal configurations. Currently, fullerenes are known in spheroidal (Buckminster fullerene) and cylindrical or toroidal (nanotube) forms. Various complex and expensive processes are known for producing fullerenes. These processes are complex and yield low returns, making the resulting products very expensive. The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein present a much more efficient and inexpensive method for producing these materials.

[0077] Since the device of the present invention operates with only a small amount of energy, when the device is used to process emissions from, for example, a coal-fired power plant, carbon can be recovered from the plant's chimney and reused repeatedly for fuel combustion, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of the power plant.

[0078] The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein are also useful in reducing the need for burial. For example, because these systems and apparatus are effective in purifying the air, they allow the use of incinerators, which were previously prohibited because it was difficult to effectively control the resulting air pollution. Consequently, much of the material that would otherwise be incinerated is buried, essentially wasting land area. If such material can be burned in an incinerator and processed with this apparatus, this will significantly reduce the volume of residue (primarily collected elemental materials) that could potentially be sold as valuable materials. Furthermore, materials that have already been buried can be excavated, incinerated, and processed according to the present invention, and then sold again as valuable materials.

[0079] In certain embodiments, an airflow containing oxidized molecules and particulate matter dependent on the emission source material flows through multiple (e.g., three) levels of reaction zones, namely a first zone just above the tip of the electrode needle in the electrode bed, a second zone located just beyond the first zone, and a third zone located just beyond the second zone and adjacent to the water film flowing within each reaction zone. The first zone closest to the needle can have the highest reactivity, which gradually decreases as it moves away from the tip of the needle.

[0080] In embodiments where a single device is provided, air or other fluids containing oxidizing compounds and / or other contaminants can be recirculated within the single device (for example, instead of directing the flow from the outlet of the device to the surrounding environment). Alternatively, as described above, multiple devices can be provided in series with respect to the flow of fluids to be treated to remove such oxidizing compounds and / or other contaminants.

[0081] The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein can be operated indoors or in a container because the exhausted air (or other fluid) is essentially free of undesirable particulate matter. Alternatively, the apparatus, systems, and methods can be operated in an outdoor environment, preferably with appropriate rain shields (not shown) to protect the electrode node body, receptors, and other potentially vulnerable components of the apparatus.

[0082] Elemental carbon materials such as fullerenes can be produced using the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein. Preferably, if it is desirable to produce fullerenes, a very clean hydrocarbon source (such as jet fuel or paraffin) is burned and processed by apparatus 100 and / or system 200 to minimize the presence of impurities in the final fullerene product. Fullerenes containing nanotubes, C60, C70, C84, and C120 are produced, and newer, unknown fullerenes can be separated using conventional techniques (e.g., in processing system 230 of system 200).

[0083] Furthermore, other materials formed as a result of the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein are hydroxyl radicals (OH). The hydroxyl radicals formed can be used for applications (for example, removing methane from the atmosphere).

[0084] The dissociation of oxidized compounds into elemental materials using the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein is thought to be the result of the generation of elemental hydrogens at the tip of a point-source electrode within the reaction zone of the apparatus, through unipolar ionization and / or the plaron reaction, which very actively reduces oxidizing gases in the fluid being treated. However, the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein are not limited to the operating principles for generating such elemental materials and purifying the fluid to be treated. With this in mind, it is suggested that the following mechanisms may be used by the apparatus, systems, and methods described herein to reduce carbon oxides and sulfur oxides and form hydroxyl radicals, converting other materials, such as iron, silver, copper, and magnesium, into their elemental forms through similar mechanisms.

[0085] a) Complete or partial dissociation of carbon oxides:

[0086] СО2→С+О2

[0087] СО2→СО+1 / 2О2

[0088] СО→С+1 / 2О2

[0089] СО*+СО*←→С+СО2СО 2* (г)+С(т)→С(о)+СО(г)

[0090] b) Recovery process using atomic hydrogen

[0091] СО2+Н→С+Н2O

[0092] СО+2Н→С+Н2О

[0093] c) Interaction between carbon oxides and atomic oxygen

[0094] СО 2* +O → SCO + O2

[0095] H2O = OH- + H+

[0096] H++e-=H

[0097] 4OH--4e-=O2=2H2O

[0098] 6H + SO2 = H2S + 2H2O

[0099] SO2 + 2H2S = 3S↓ + 2H2O

[0100] or

[0101] SO2 + 4H = S↓ + 2H2O

[0102] Similarly, carbon dioxide can also be reduced by this mechanism.

[0103] 4H + CO2 = C↓ + 2H2O

[0104] CO2 + 8H = CH4 + 2H2O

[0105] CH4 + CO2 = 2C↓ + 2H2O

[0106] The apparatus, systems, and methods described herein offer several advantages. Some non-limiting examples of these advantages are listed below.

[0107] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes, fullerenes, or derivatives thereof, which, due to their high electron affinity and electron-transferring ability, can act as acceptors in solar cell systems based on electron transport from a photoexcitatory material (donor) to an electrode. This process is mediated by acceptor molecules. An example of a commonly used acceptor is phenyl-C61-methyl butyrate (PCMB), which is used with polythiophene (P3HT) as a donor.

[0108] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerenes and / or their derivatives that can be easily hydrogenated and dehydrogenated due to their unique molecular structure (consisting only of carbon atoms).

[0109] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, enabling the production of agricultural correctors on a commercial scale to increase soil carbon.

[0110] Systems, apparatus, or methods for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives likely represent potential for developing relatively lightweight metals with greater tensile strength without significant changes in metallic ductility, due to their small size and high reactivity through carbon sp, sp2, and / or sp3 hybridization.

[0111] Systems, apparatus, or methods for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives may, under pressure, induce slight rearrangements of carbon atoms, potentially converting them to diamond.

[0112] Systems, apparatus, or methods for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives produce superconductivity in the 19–40K range, with particular importance being crystalline compounds of C60 containing alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. These compounds are the only molecular systems that exhibit superconductivity at temperatures above 19K. Superconductivity was observed in the 19–40K range (-254–-233°C / -425–-387°F).

[0113] Systems, apparatus, or methods for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives are used as reducing agents for steelmaking in place of coal or biochar. "Reduction" is the chemical reaction that turns iron ore (Fe2O3) into pig iron (2Fe). Carbon monoxide (CO) is a key component (Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2) and is produced in blast furnaces by burning coal. This also produces carbon dioxide as waste, which can be used to produce more carbon allotropes in this method.

[0114] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives is used in batteries to reduce the electron charging resistance in the cathode layer by increasing the surface area so that electrons bond to high surface area surfaces, which significantly reduces the electrical resistance in these materials.

[0115] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives can be used as a metal substitute or for hybridizing with metals in electric wires to produce conductive materials or conductive plastics.

[0116] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives can be used in water purification and wastewater treatment.

[0117] Systems, apparatus, or methods for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives enhance the thermal conductivity of lubricants, thereby enabling them to more rapidly accept and transfer thermal energy at both high and low temperatures. Such fullerenes or their derivatives exhibit remarkable properties as additives for lubricating engine wear and cutting fluids, improving the wear resistance of wear parts.

[0118] In systems, apparatus, or methods for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, the materials are used as antioxidants based on their chemical properties, such as very high electron affinity and numerous conjugated double bonds. They are called radical sponges due to their ability to interact with numerous free radicals before being consumed.

[0119] By systems, apparatus, or methods for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, these compounds, also known as antiviral agents, can be made to act. One of the most interesting properties is their ability to suppress human deficiency virus (HIV) replication, which leads to the inhibition of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) manifestation. More specifically, fullerene derivatives have been observed to inhibit HIV proteases, resulting in the prevention of HIV-1 replication and subsequent damage. Fullerenes hold great potential for the research and development of novel anti-HIV drugs. Antiviral activity is strongly influenced by the relative positions of the side chains on C60. This can be achieved by the synthesis and subsequent characterization of serial fullerene derivatives that have been found to actually possess antiviral activity, as exemplified below. Fullerene pyrrolidine (containing two ammonium groups) has been described as an HIV-1 and HIV-2 antagonist. Cationic, anionic, and amino acid derivatives have been shown to inhibit hepatitis C virus replication. Amino acid derivatives of C60 have been found to inhibit human cytomegalovirus replication. The water-insoluble derivative showed antiviral activity against enveloped viruses.

[0120] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives is considered effective for electrochemical oxygen reduction (CORR) reactions for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) synthesis. CNT hybrids having C60 covalently bonded to the outer surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be synthesized. The structure of the C60-CNT hybrid can be confirmed by physical and chemical characterization, and it has been proposed that its structure is characterized as a covalent bond between CNTs and a C60 derivative. Due to the large surface area and intermolecular electron transfer in the hybrid structure, the C60-CNT hybrid exhibits high efficiency in electrogenerated H2O2. A high H2O2 generation efficiency of 4834.57 mg L-1h-1 (426.58 mmol L-1) was observed with a -0.2 V opposite saturated calomel electrode (SCE).

[0121] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, which replaces existing deficient dolomite, dolomite limestone, or replaces carbon black in the asphalt concrete mixing process as a binder to improve thermal performance and road rigidity.

[0122] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or a derivative thereof, wherein the carbon allotrope already has a functional group or partially has a functional group.

[0123] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, wherein the carbon allotrope supplies fuel for producing hydrogen.

[0124] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, wherein these carbon allotropes produce a predetermined effect as a means of transporting chemical compounds. These materials exhibit good biocompatibility and selectivity, thus acting as carriers, and they are small enough to diffuse correctly in tissues as required for final localization. In the case of gene delivery, foreign DNA is introduced into cells to achieve a predetermined effect. For this purpose, DNA sequences are linked to C60 amino acid derivatives. At appropriate sites, these sequences are cleaved by loss or denaturation of amino groups. Biochemical experiments have clearly demonstrated superior capabilities compared to vectors commonly used in this application.

[0125] A system, apparatus, or method for generating rare earth elements from coal, metal tailings, electronic waste, and oil sand waste ponds, wherein these rare earth elements are simultaneously separated as a rare earth element mining and deficiency substitute.

[0126] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, wherein the carbon allotrope is handled as waste.

[0127] This refers to a system, apparatus, or method for recovering elemental metals from oxides in a metal refinery in order to recover metals from melting losses during refining. Typical losses in gold refining are 1% to 2.5% due to melting losses or mass losses, and another 1.5% to 2.5% due to valuation or quality losses. Typical losses in silver refining are 2% to 4.5% due to melting losses or mass losses, and another 2.5% to 7.5% due to valuation or quality losses.

[0128] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, wherein the carbon allotropes produce carbon fuels or synthetic fuels for combustion (e.g., fuels with a heating value > 29 MJ / kg that are replaceable for coal plants).

[0129] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, wherein carbon allotropes are further processed into renewable fuels and chemicals through thermal decomposition of the carbon allotropes.

[0130] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, wherein these carbon allotropes are used as carbon fuel for use as agricultural soil conditioners, or coated onto biochar to enhance their effectiveness in the soil.

[0131] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, used for water treatment and deoxidation treatment.

[0132] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, the carbon allotrope being blended with biomass as fuel for a biomass plant.

[0133] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, wherein the carbon allotrope is produced from the waste of marine vessels.

[0134] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, which are used for the manufacture of commercially available wood substitute products for fireplaces and wood stoves by mixing them with a binder and forming them into either pellets or logs.

[0135] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, the carbon allotropes being used as adsorbents in nitrogen fertilizers to enhance the value of ammonia.

[0136] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes used for water treatment and deoxidation of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, wherein these carbon allotropes are used for oxygen and other gas storage.

[0137] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, the carbon allotropes being used as oxygen-enhanced carbon fuels as a substitute for coal and biomass for oxygen storage.

[0138] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, wherein the carbon allotrope converts vegetable oil into fullerene.

[0139] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, the carbon allotrope being used for urea coating.

[0140] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, the carbon allotrope being used as a fertilizer additive for soil improvement.

[0141] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, which also produces sulfur allotropes when SO2 is present in the feed gas, enabling an improvement over the Kraus process.

[0142] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, and for managing CO2 gas separated from biogas.

[0143] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, and for managing gases separated from a pyrolysis unit.

[0144] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, the carbon allotrope providing grip to the bottom of a shoe.

[0145] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, wherein the carbon allotrope synthesizes a photocatalyst (e.g., C3N4).

[0146] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, wherein these carbon allotropes provide additives for producing fuels, synthetic fuels, and / or biofuels.

[0147] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, the carbon allotrope being used as an electrode in a fuel cell.

[0148] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, wherein the carbon allotrope generates a compact EMF / RF shielding ballast.

[0149] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerenes and / or their derivatives, which is used as a carbon nanotube (CNT). CNTs are materials with excellent electrical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. They have been demonstrated to date to possess interesting thermoelectric properties and are therefore considered a promising solution for thermal energy harvesting as dopants.

[0150] A system, apparatus, or method that significantly reduces oxidized air in the atmosphere, resulting in up to a 30% increase in plant growth and up to a 30% increase in yield.

[0151] A system, apparatus, or method for generating a terrestrial atmosphere by dissociating oxides into elemental forms, which significantly removes mold, fungi, pot rot, bacteria, and viruses from the atmosphere, and provides energy for plant growth, thereby improving productivity.

[0152] A system, apparatus, or method for producing improved cannabinoid / terpenoid CoA. Bud size / weight and CoA were compared with identical or similar strains.

[0153] This is a system, apparatus, or method for improving air quality and eliminating surface contamination of human and animal living facilities from viruses and bacteria transmitted by airborne and contact transmission.

[0154] This is a system, apparatus, or method for enhancing the vitamins and nutritional value of vegetables and fruits during cultivation in a greenhouse.

[0155] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes or fullerenes, particularly nanotubes, for the manufacture of IC transistors.

[0156] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of either fullerenes or nanotubes containing nitrogen, boron, and other elements, for the synthesis of novel new materials.

[0157] A system, apparatus, or method capable of isolating and separating radioactive isotope oxides from contaminated water.

[0158] This is a system, apparatus, or method capable of isolating and separating MgO, Cu2S, CuO, H2S, Mg(OH)2, and ZnS into their elemental forms.

[0159] A system, apparatus, or method capable of forming a carbon material that acts as a lubricant when mixed with sand. When acting as a lubricant with sand, it increases penetration into cracks in rocks.

[0160] A system, apparatus, or method for forming allotropes of carbon that can be mixed with putty to produce a conformal thermal conductive material for matting irregular high-temperature surfaces, in order to act as a thermal or electrical path for a thermoelectric power generator.

[0161] A system, apparatus, or method for forming allotropes of carbon that can be mixed with asphalt to strengthen roads and bridges and provide potential electrical connectivity, thereby reducing the need for de-icing and salt application by heating the surface of roads and bridges, particularly for bridges and pedestrian walkways.

[0162] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, the carbon allotrope being used for radiomedical purposes to produce a contrast agent conjugated with barium or iodine.

[0163] A system, apparatus, or method for producing a carbon allotrope of fullerene and / or its derivatives, the carbon allotrope generating a carbon material for intercalation into elements to make electrodes, cathodes, anodes, batteries, and other electronic components.

[0164] A system, apparatus, or method for producing carbon allotropes of fullerenes and / or their derivatives from power plant emissions, which can be combined with existing scrubbing processes using calcium compounds that react with sulfur oxides to form gypsum, thereby producing a bound gypsum carbon product superior to gypsum.

[0165] Therefore, the present invention can be described by the following non-limiting embodiments.

[0166] An apparatus for removing a compound from a fluid medium and converting at least a portion of the compound into elemental substances includes an electrode bed comprising a plurality of conductive electrode needles protruding from the surface of the electrode bed, the electrode needles being coupled to a voltage source, and a water overflow panel spaced apart from the electrode needles of the electrode bed and having a surface over which water flows during operation, wherein the electrode needles extend toward the surface of the water overflow panel, and the reaction zone of the water overflow panel is defined as a space between the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode needles protruding from the electrode bed, separating the surface of the water overflow panel from the electrode needles. The apparatus further includes a water source that supplies water to flow into the reaction zone along the surface of a water overflow panel, a fluid source that includes an inlet for supplying a source fluid containing impurities mixed in the fluid into the reaction zone and an outlet for facilitating the flow of purified fluid from the reaction zone, wherein the purified fluid contains fewer impurities mixed in the purified fluid compared to the source fluid, and a power supply for applying electrical energy of a negative voltage of 30 kilovolts (kV) to 100 kV at a pulse frequency greater than 24,000 hertz (Hz) to an electrode needle. In the operation in which electrical energy is applied to the electrode needle by the power supply, water from the water source flows along the surface of the water overflow panel, the source fluid flows into the reaction zone, impurities mixed in the source fluid are removed, converted into elemental components and mixed with the water.

[0167] The apparatus may further include a housing that accommodates an electrode bed and a water overflow panel, where the water overflow panel and electrode bed are positioned generally vertically and angled within the height range of the housing.

[0168] The apparatus may further include a pair of electrode beds and corresponding water overflow panels, wherein the first electrode bed and corresponding first water overflow panel are located on the first side of the housing, and the second electrode bed and corresponding second water overflow panel are located on the second side of the housing opposite to the first side.

[0169] The reaction zone may have a reaction zone width defined as the distance between the electrode needle of the electrode bed and the reaction surface of the water overflow panel facing the electrode needle, and this reaction zone width varies along the length of the reaction zone. In addition, the reaction zone width can be reduced in the direction of the flow of the source fluid through the reaction zone.

[0170] The fluid supply source can supply the source fluid to the reaction zone in the opposite direction to the direction in which the water supply source supplies water to the reaction zone.

[0171] The electrode needles of the electrode bed can be coated with a deposition material containing one or more of nickel, tungsten, boron, copper, and carbon. For example, the electrode needles of the electrode bed can be coated with nickel in an amount exceeding 50% by weight of the deposition material, tungsten in an amount of 3% to 6% by weight of the deposition material, boron in an amount of 1% to 3% by weight of the deposition material, copper in an amount of 0.5% to 1% by weight of the deposition material, and carbon in an amount of 1% to 3.5% by weight of the deposition material.

[0172] The elemental components may include one or more elements selected from the group consisting of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, lead, iron, and zinc. For example, the elemental components may include allotropes of carbon and / or sulfur.

[0173] The surface of the electrode bed may be flat, and / or the surface of the water overflow surface is flat.

[0174] Systems including the apparatus described herein can be further provided.

[0175] In an exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a housing and a plurality of devices disposed within the housing, each device comprising an electrode bed arranged to include a plurality of conductive electrode needles protruding from a surface, the electrode bed being coupled to a voltage source, and a water overflow panel spaced apart from the electrode bed, the water overflow panel having a surface over which water flows when in operation, the electrode needles extending toward the surface of the water overflow panel, and the reaction zone being defined as a space between the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode needles protruding from the electrode bed, separating the water overflow panel from the electrode needles. The system comprises a water source for recirculating the flow of water along the surface of the water overflow panel for each device in the housing, the water source further comprising a reservoir for separating compounds and / or elemental materials from the water before recirculating the water to the surface of the water overflow panel for each device in the housing, and a fluid source for supplying a source fluid containing impurities mixed in the fluid to the inlet of each device in the housing, sending it to the reaction zone for processing by each device in the housing. The system further includes a purified fluid delivery structure that receives the processed and purified fluid from the reaction zone of each device within the housing and facilitates the transport of the processed and purified fluid from the housing. In the operation in which a voltage source is applied to the electrode needle, water from a water source flows along the surface of a water overflow panel, the source fluid flows through the reaction zone, impurities mixed in the source fluid are removed and converted into elemental components and mixed with the water, and the elemental components are separated from the water in a reservoir.

[0176] In this system, the devices can be arranged in parallel with respect to the flow of source fluid to the devices within the housing. The devices can also be arranged in series with respect to the flow of source fluid to the devices within the housing.

[0177] Each device within the housing may further include a pair of electrode beds and corresponding water overflow panels, wherein the first electrode bed and corresponding first water overflow panel of each device are located on the first side of the device, and the second electrode bed and corresponding second water overflow panel of each device are located on the second side of the device, opposite to the first side.

[0178] The system may further include an air curtain structure that blows air from a fluid source toward the inlet of each device supplying the source fluid, in order to guide the source fluid to the first and second sides of each device and to flow it to each reaction zone located between the first electrode bed of each device and the corresponding first water overflow panel, and to each reaction zone located between the second electrode bed of each device and the corresponding second water overflow panel.

[0179] In a further exemplary embodiment, a method for removing a compound from a fluid medium and converting at least some of the compound into elemental substances, the method is: The method includes the steps of: directing water to flow along the surface of a water overflow panel in the apparatus; applying electrical energy to a plurality of conductive electrode needles protruding from the plane of an electrode bed, wherein the electrode bed is aligned with the water overflow panel such that the electrode needles extend toward the surface of the water overflow panel, and a reaction zone is located between the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode needles protruding from the electrode bed, separating the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode bed; and directing the source fluid into the reaction zone defined between the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode needles protruding from the electrode bed, while applying electrical energy of a negative voltage of 30 kilovolts (kV) to 100 kV at a pulse frequency greater than 24,000 hertz (Hz) to the electrode needles to remove impurities mixed in the source fluid, convert the removed impurities into elemental components, and mix them into the water flowing along the surface of the water overflow panel.

[0180] In this method, the elemental components may include one or more elements selected from the group consisting of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, lead, iron, and zinc. For example, the elemental components may include allotropes of carbon and / or sulfur.

[0181] This method may further include the step of forming hydroxyl radicals with elemental components while electrical energy is applied to the electrode needle and the source fluid is guided into the reaction zone.

[0182] In this method, electrical energy can be applied at pulse frequencies in the range of 0.1 MHz to 10 MHz.

[0183] In this method, the surface of the electrode bed may be flat, and / or the surface of the water overflow surface is flat.

[0184] All references cited herein, including publications, patent applications, and patents, are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if they were included in their entirety, each reference being specifically and individually incorporated by reference.

[0185] In the context describing the present invention (in particular in the context of the following claims), the use of the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” shall be construed to encompass both singular and plural unless expressly otherwise specified or unless clearly inconsistent with the context. The terms “consist of,” “have,” “include,” and “contain” shall be construed to be open terms (i.e., including, but not limited to) unless specifically otherwise noted. The enumeration of value ranges in this specification is intended merely as a simple way to refer individually to each distinct value that falls within the range unless expressly otherwise specified, and each distinct value is incorporated herein as if it were individually described herein. All methods described herein may be performed in any appropriate order unless expressly otherwise specified or unless clearly inconsistent with the context. All examples or use of exemplary language (e.g., “like”) are merely for the purpose of more clearly describing the present invention and do not limit the scope of the present invention. No word in the specification shall be construed to indicate an essential element for the practice of the present invention that is not covered by the claims.

[0186] Preferred embodiments of the Invention, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the Invention, are described herein. Variations of these preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the preceding description. The inventors expect that skilled craftsmen will appropriately adopt such variations, and they also intend that the Invention may be carried out in ways other than those specifically described herein. Accordingly, the Invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter described in the claims appended herein, as permitted by applicable law. Furthermore, any combination of the above elements in all their possible variations is incorporated herein unless otherwise indicated herein or unless it is clearly inconsistent with the context.

[0187] The present invention also aims to encompass modifications and variations of the present invention, insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Naturally, terms used herein, such as top, bottom, front, rear, side, height, length, width, upper, lower, internal, and outer, are merely descriptive and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing a compound from a fluid medium and converting at least a portion of the compound into elemental substances, wherein the apparatus is An electrode bed including multiple conductive electrode needles protruding from the surface of the electrode bed, A water overflow panel is positioned at a distance from the electrode needles of the electrode bed and has a surface over which water flows during operation, wherein the electrode needles extend toward the surface of the water overflow panel, and the reaction zone is defined as a space between the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode needles protruding from the electrode bed, separating the surface of the water overflow panel from the electrode needles, the reaction zone may have a reaction zone width defined as the distance between the electrode needles of the electrode bed and the reaction surface of the water overflow panel facing the electrode needles, the reaction zone width of the water overflow panel varies along the length of the reaction zone, A water source that supplies water to flow into the reaction zone along the surface of the water overflow panel, A fluid supply source comprising an inlet for supplying a source fluid containing impurities mixed in the fluid to the reaction zone and an outlet for facilitating the flow of purified fluid from the reaction zone, wherein the purified fluid contains fewer impurities mixed in the purified fluid compared to the source fluid, A power supply coupled to the electrode needle to apply electrical energy in the form of a negative voltage of 30 kilovolts (kV) to 100 kV at a pulse frequency greater than 24,000 hertz (Hz), Includes, The apparatus is characterized in that, in the operation in which electrical energy is applied to the electrode needle by the power supply, water from the water source flows along the surface of the water overflow panel, the source fluid flows to the reaction zone, impurities mixed in the source fluid are removed, converted into elemental components, and mixed into the water.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a housing for housing the electrode bed and the water overflow panel, wherein the water overflow panel and the electrode bed are arranged generally vertically and angled within the height range of the housing.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a pair of electrode beds and corresponding water overflow panels, wherein the first electrode bed and corresponding first water overflow panel are located on the first side of the housing, and the second electrode bed and corresponding second water overflow panel are located on the second side of the housing opposite to the first side.

4. The apparatus according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the width of the reaction zone decreases in the direction of the flow of the source fluid through the reaction zone.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid supply source supplies the source fluid to the reaction zone in a direction opposite to the direction in which the water supply source supplies water to the reaction zone.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrode needle of the electrode bed is coated with a vapor deposition material containing one or more of nickel, tungsten, boron, copper, and carbon.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrode needle of the electrode bed is coated with a vapor deposition material comprising more than 50% by weight of nickel, 3% to 6% by weight of tungsten, 1% to 3% by weight of boron, 0.5% to 1% by weight of copper, and 1% to 3.5% by weight of carbon.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elemental components include one or more elements selected from the group consisting of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, lead, iron, and zinc.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elemental components include allotropes of carbon and / or sulfur.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surface of the electrode bed is flat and / or the surface of the water overflow panel is flat.

11. A system comprising the apparatus described in claim 1 or 2.

12. Housing and Multiple devices arranged within the housing, The system according to claim 11, further comprising:

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that the devices are arranged in parallel with respect to the flow of the source fluid to the devices within the housing.

14. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that the devices are arranged in series with respect to the flow of the source fluid to the devices within the housing.

15. A method for removing a compound from a fluid medium and converting at least some of the compound into elemental substances, wherein the method is The steps of guiding water to flow along the surface of the water overflow panel in the apparatus according to claim 1, The steps include applying electrical energy to the conductive electrode needle protruding from the plane of the electrode bed, The steps include: directing the source fluid into the reaction zone defined between the surface of the water overflow panel and the electrode needle protruding from the electrode bed, while applying electrical energy of a negative voltage of 30 kilovolts (kV) to 100 kV at a pulse frequency greater than 24,000 hertz (Hz) to the electrode needle, in order to remove impurities mixed in the source fluid, convert the removed impurities into elemental components, and mix them into the water flowing along the surface of the water overflow panel; A method that includes this.

16. The method according to 15, characterized in that the elemental components include one or more elements selected from the group consisting of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, lead, iron, and zinc.

17. The method according to 15 or 16, characterized in that the elemental components include allotropes of carbon and / or sulfur.

18. The method according to 16, further comprising the step of forming a hydroxyl radical with elemental components while the source fluid is being introduced into the reaction zone while electrical energy is being applied to the electrode needle.

19. The method according to 18, further characterized in that electrical energy is applied at a pulse frequency in the range of 0.1 MHz to 10 MHz.

20. The method according to 18, characterized in that the surface of the electrode bed is flat and / or the surface of the water overflow surface is flat.

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