Hermetically Sealed DBD Electrodes for Reliable NTP Generation
Solution Overview
Problem
Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cells used for non-thermal plasma (NTP) generation in industrial gas treatment face issues with electrode contamination leading to electrical short circuits and damage, which reduces the effectiveness and lifespan of the cells, despite hermetic sealing with glass, as hot spots can cause glass expansion and shattering.
Innovation Solution
Hermetically sealing at least the hot electrodes of DBD cells with a rubber material, such as siloxane, to prevent contaminant buildup and using a configuration that confines NTP generation away from support frames and terminals, with the option to laminate glass for smooth surfaces, and employing a system that allows atmospheric air to generate activated species for gas treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrodes are hermetically sealed with glass material, then contaminant buildup is prevented, but hot spots cause glass expansion and shattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from glass to rubber for the hermetic seal. Rubber materials have different thermal expansion properties and flexibility that allow them to accommodate hot spots without shattering, while maintaining the hermetic seal integrity. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by selecting a material that simultaneously provides both seal reliability and resistance to thermal stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite sealing structures where rubber material is used in combination with other components. The rubber provides flexibility and thermal resistance, while the composite structure maintains the hermetic seal properties. This composite approach allows the system to withstand hot spots while preventing contaminant ingress.
2Reliability
If NTP generation area is confined away from support frames and terminals, then electrical short circuits are prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the NTP generation function from areas near support frames and terminals by confining it to specific electrode regions. This spatial separation removes the harmful plasma effects from sensitive structural components, preventing electrical short circuits and material degradation while maintaining the essential NTP generation capability in the confined electrode area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the cell: the electrode regions where NTP is generated and confined, and the support frame/terminal regions where NTP is excluded. This localized approach allows NTP generation where needed while protecting sensitive components, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity through functional zoning.
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 the reliability and longevity of NTP generating cells by preventing electrical short circuits and damage, allowing for effective treatment of odorous and VOC-laden gases while maintaining the hermetic seal even under hot spot conditions, thus improving the overall efficiency and safety of the gas treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
hermetically sealing at least the hot electrodes in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cell with a rubber material, such as a siloxane material
Implementation Method 2
non-thermal plasma (NTP) which is formed in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cells to create a wide range of activated species
Implementation Method 3
non-thermal plasma (NTP) which is formed in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cells
Implementation Method 4
the organic compounds that humans normally detect as odor, and/or VOCs, are oxidized and/or reduced, typically to carbon dioxide and water vapor
Implementation Method 5
the organic compounds that humans normally detect as odor, and/or VOCs, are oxidized and/or reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Generation Cell includes a plurality of hot electrodes interspersed with a plurality of ground electrodes whereby a power supply connected between the hot and ground electrodes creates a non-thermal plasma between the electrodes. The hot electrodes are hermetically sealed by a rubber material such as a siloxane material surrounding portions of the hot electrodes. The cells are useful in odor removal systems to neutralize odors and VOC emissions in commercial and/or industrial air streams and in gas purification and sterilizing systems which utilizes Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) to create a range of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to cause the oxidation and/or reduction of odor causing molecules, VOC's, and other contaminants. Where a plurality of cells are electrically connected in parallel, shorts in a cell can be detected by sensing the difference in currents feed to each of the plurality of cells.