Insulated Electrode for Stable Plasma in Liquid Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid processing apparatuses face significant electrode wear due to high leakage currents when processing liquids with high electrical conductivity, leading to unstable plasma discharge and reduced efficiency in decomposing contaminants.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a cylindrical processing tank with a rod-shaped first electrode covered by an insulator, where the outer diameter of the insulator is smaller than the gas-phase generating space, reducing leakage currents and minimizing electrode wear by ensuring plasma discharge occurs primarily through the gas phase, thereby stabilizing the plasma generation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first electrode is exposed to the liquid without insulation, then the plasma discharge can be generated, but the electrode wears due to high leakage currents in liquids with high electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulator as an intermediary component between the first electrode and the liquid. This insulator prevents direct contact between the electrode and the liquid, thereby eliminating the leakage current path that causes electrode wear, while still allowing plasma discharge to occur through the gas phase formed in the processing tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful electrical conduction path from the system by introducing an insulator that removes the direct liquid-electrode contact. This extraction of the leakage current path prevents electrode degradation while maintaining the essential plasma generation function through alternative gas-phase conduction.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the insulator outer diameter is large, then electrode wear is reduced, but the plasma discharge becomes unstable due to interference with gas-phase generating space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the insulator's outer diameter specifically smaller than the gas-phase generating space diameter. This localized dimensional constraint ensures that the insulator provides sufficient protection against leakage currents while leaving enough space for stable plasma discharge in the gas phase, thus optimizing both electrode protection and plasma generation.
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 configuration effectively suppresses electrode wear, allowing for stable long-term plasma generation and efficient decomposition of contaminants in the liquid, enhancing the processing efficiency and reliability of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
A pressure in a vicinity of central axis X1 of processing tank 112 is lowered to a saturated water vapor pressure or less by swirling flow F1. As a result, water vapor is generated by vaporizing a part of liquid L1 in the vicinity of central axis X1
Implementation Method 2
The plasma discharge is generated in gas phase G by applying a high voltage between first electrode 130 and second electrode 131
Implementation Method 3
the decomposing and sterilizing action by ultraviolet light, radicals, or the like generated by plasma discharge
Implementation Method 4
components having oxidizing power such as hydroxyl radical (OH radical) and hydrogen peroxide are generated
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid processing apparatus includes a processing tank, a first electrode, an insulator, a liquid introduction port, a discharge portion, a second electrode, an opening portion, and a power supply. The first electrode is disposed at the first end of the processing tank. The insulator covers at least a part of a side surface of the first electrode disposed to protrude from an inner wall of the first end of the processing tank into the processing tank. The liquid introduction port causes a liquid to swirl by introducing the liquid in a tangential direction of the processing tank and generates a gas phase in a swirling flow of the liquid. An outer diameter of the insulator is smaller than an outer diameter of a gas-phase generating space where the gas phase is generated in the processing tank.