Bubble-Assisted Liquid Treatment Electrodes for Efficient Plasma

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid treatment devices face low plasma generation efficiency and long treatment times, along with high manufacturing costs due to the use of metals with high plasma resistance and difficult processing requirements for electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A liquid treatment device that generates plasma by supplying gas continuously to form bubbles in the treatment liquid, using a configuration with a first metal electrode and a second metal electrode, an insulator, and a gas supply device to create a bubble-generating space, allowing for effective reactive species generation and reduced manufacturing costs through the use of different materials for exposed and non-exposed electrode portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional high voltage pulse discharge is used to generate plasma in liquid, then plasma generation is achieved, but plasma generation efficiency is low and treatment time is long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment speedVSAvoidplasma generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces gas bubbles as an intermediary medium between the electrodes. The gas bubbles serve as a mediator that facilitates plasma generation by providing a region with lower breakdown voltage and higher plasma generation efficiency, thereby resolving the contradiction between treatment speed and energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters of the treatment medium by introducing gas bubbles into the liquid. This parameter change creates optimal conditions for plasma generation, improving both the efficiency of plasma generation and the speed of liquid treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If metals with high plasma resistance are used for electrodes, then plasma generation capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to difficult processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplasma generation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different materials for different parts of the electrode system. The electrode in contact with gas uses a material optimized for plasma generation, while other parts can use easier-to-manufacture materials, thus resolving the contradiction between plasma generation capability and manufacturing ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The electrode structure employs composite material construction, combining materials with high plasma generation capability with materials that are easier to manufacture. This composite approach allows the system to achieve reliable plasma generation while reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The device achieves efficient plasma generation and reactive species production, enabling rapid liquid treatment with extended radical lifetime, thus reducing treatment time and manufacturing expenses.

Implementation Method 1

a power supply that applies a voltage between the first metal electrode and the second metal electrode... generates plasma by supplying gas continuously to form bubbles in the treatment liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma generation: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

a gas supply device that supplies the space with a gas for generating the bubble... generates a bubble in the water being treated from the opening portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBubble formation: Bubble

Data Source

PatentEP2762453B1Liquid treatment device and liquid treatment method
Publication Date: 2017.03.01 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2762453B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2762453B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2762453B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure of a liquid treatment device includes a first metal electrode having a part disposed in a reaction tank into which a water being treated is filled, a second metal electrode disposed in the reaction tank, an insulator having an opening portion disposed to surround the first metal electrode so that a closed space is formed. A bubble is generated from the closed space to the water being treated via the opening portion. The liquid treatment device also includes a gas supply device that supplies the space with a gas for generating the bubble, and a power supply that applies a voltage between the first metal electrode and the second metal electrode.