Annular Heat Pipe Cooling for Multi-Gap Ozone Generators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ozone generators with multiple discharge gaps face inefficiencies in cooling systems, leading to excessive heat buildup and reduced ozone concentration due to inadequate heat removal from the discharge gaps and components.

Innovation Solution

The device employs an electrode arrangement with annular heat pipes acting as closed heat exchange systems, surrounding high-voltage and ground electrodes, allowing for efficient cooling of discharge gaps without the need for additional cooling media or systems, and enabling the design to be compact and 'plug and play' by placing the cooling section in proximity to the discharge gap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If water is arranged to directly cool the outer electrode, then cooling effect is achieved, but cooling efficiency is insufficient for multiple-gap arrangements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode temperatureVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the cooling function from the outer electrode structure by introducing a separate inner electrode that serves as a dedicated heat dissipation element. This inner electrode is thermally coupled to the outer electrode through thermal conductive material, allowing heat to be extracted from the discharge gap region without compromising the outer electrode's electrical function or requiring direct water cooling of the outer electrode itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces thermal conductive material as an intermediary between the inner and outer electrodes. This intermediary substance facilitates efficient heat transfer from the outer electrode to the inner electrode, enabling effective heat dissipation while maintaining the structural integrity and electrical insulation requirements of the electrode assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple discharge gaps are used, then ozone generation efficiency is improved, but heat build-up increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveozone generation efficiencyVSAvoiddischarge gap temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the heat dissipation function by introducing a separate inner electrode structure that is dedicated to heat removal. This segmentation allows the outer electrode to focus on electrical discharge generation while the inner electrode handles thermal management, enabling multiple discharge gaps to operate at higher efficiency without excessive heat accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner electrode structure serves itself dual functions: it acts as both an electrical component (forming discharge gaps with the outer electrode) and a thermal management component (dissipating heat from the discharge region). This self-service approach integrates cooling functionality directly into the electrode structure without requiring external cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Volume of stationary object

If cooling section is placed in proximity to discharge gap, then system size is reduced, but cooling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem sizeVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the cooling section with the electrode structure by making the inner electrode itself the heat dissipation element. This merging eliminates the need for separate external cooling systems and reduces overall system size, as the cooling functionality is integrated directly into the electrode assembly rather than being added as a separate component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner electrode structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it forms discharge gaps for ozone generation, provides electrical insulation where needed, and serves as the primary heat dissipation element. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall cooling system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances ozone generation efficiency and concentration by effectively managing heat, reducing the need for direct cooling and minimizing NOx generation through improved heat management, allowing the system to maintain operation even in case of breakdown.

Implementation Method 1

a central heat pipe is in airtight contact with an inside of a discharge electrode. The cooling effect is improved by removing the heat generated in the electric discharges by the central rod-shaped heat pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat pipe: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 2

heat can be efficiently transported out of the internal structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the at least one high-voltage electrode is surrounded by at least one annular heat pipe, wherein each of the at least one annular heat pipes is a closed heat exchange system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 4

The annular heat pipe allows cooling of the discharge gap or components of the electrode arrangement with high efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3517497B1Ozone generator with heat pipe cooling
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 XYLEM EURO GMBH
  • EP3517497B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3517497B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3517497B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an device for generating ozone from oxygen-containing gas by silent electric discharge with an electrode arrangement (1) with at least one high-voltage electrode (4,8) and at least one annular ground electrode (5) wherein between the at least one high-voltage electrode (4,8) and the at least one ground electrode (5) a annular dielectric (6,7) is arranged, wherein the at least one high-voltage electrode (4,8) is surrounded by at least one annular heat pipe (12).