Dielectric Plasma Emitter for Liquid Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for emitting plasma to liquids face issues such as electrode impurities dissolving in the liquid and limited capacity, leading to temperature increases and impracticality in plasma processing.

Innovation Solution

A plasma emitting method and device where a tubular member made of insulating material is used with electrodes on its outer walls, applying voltage to generate plasma within the tubular member, which is then directed to flowing liquid, preventing electrode impurity intrusion and allowing efficient processing of large quantities of liquid without temperature rise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If electrodes are immersed in liquid for plasma processing, then plasma can be emitted to the liquid, but electrode impurities dissolve in the liquid causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplasma emission capabilityVSAvoidelectrode impurity contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the electrode and the liquid. This dielectric layer prevents direct contact between the electrode and liquid, thereby preventing impurity dissolution while still allowing plasma to be generated and emitted to the liquid through the dielectric barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If plasma is emitted to a small amount of liquid in a container, then plasma processing can be performed, but the liquid temperature increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplasma processing capabilityVSAvoidliquid temperature increase
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static liquid in a container to dynamic flowing liquid. The liquid continuously flows through the plasma generation region, ensuring that plasma energy is distributed across a large volume of liquid over time, preventing localized overheating and maintaining stable processing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If electrodes are not immersed in liquid with vaporized gas, then no plasma is emitted to the liquid, but the liquid quantity is limited and temperature rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode impurity contaminationVSAvoidliquid processing quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous plasma emission to continuously flowing liquid. The liquid flow ensures that plasma generation occurs continuously across a large quantity of liquid, maintaining constant processing productivity while the flowing nature prevents temperature accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Power

If voltage is applied to electrodes for plasma generation, then plasma is emitted, but electrode constituents dissolve into the liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplasma generation powerVSAvoidelectrode material dissolution
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric layer serves as a protective intermediary that prevents electrode material dissolution while allowing electrical power to be applied for plasma generation. The dielectric barrier isolates the electrode from the liquid, eliminating material loss while maintaining the electrical field necessary for plasma production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach enables the creation of highly oxidized liquid efficiently, preventing electrode contamination and temperature increases, thus enhancing the practicality of plasma emission methods and devices.

Implementation Method 1

voltage being applied to the pair of electrodes. Accordingly, gas present inside the tubular member is plasmarized, and plasma is emitted to the liquid flowing inside the tubular member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma generation: Plasma

Data Source

PatentEP3151640B1Device and method for emitting plasma to a liquid
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 FUJI CORP
  • EP3151640B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3151640B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3151640B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Water 50 is flowed inside main body section 12 formed from an insulating material such that a specified space remains inside the main body section. Electrodes 14 and 16 are arranged along the outer walls of the main body section and voltage is applied to the electrodes. Processing gas 56 present inside the main body section is plasmarized and plasma is emitted to the water flowing inside the main body section. Thus, it is possible to separate the electrode and the water that is the target for processing, thus it is not necessary to consider the issue of foreign matter getting into the liquid by the dissolving of the electrodes. Also, it is possible to emit plasma to a large quantity of liquid by emitting plasma to a flowing liquid, meaning that plasma-processed water is generated efficiently. Also, it is possible to curtail an increase in the temperature of the liquid by emitting plasma to a flowing liquid.