Laminar Flow Plasma Reactor With Dielectric Electrode Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Previous plasma reactors require close proximity and direct contact between the second electrode and liquid, limiting flexibility and electrical isolation, and often necessitate conductive elements to come into contact with the liquid, restricting their application and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A plasma laminar flow reactor design featuring a housing with an electric field generator, upper and lower flow spreaders, and a dielectric element, allowing the second electrode to be spaced from the first electrode and optionally dielectrically isolated, enabling flexible electrode configurations and eliminating direct liquid contact with conductive elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second electrode is placed in close proximity and direct contact with the liquid, then plasma generation effectiveness is improved, but electrical isolation and design flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplasma generation effectivenessVSAvoidelectrical isolation and design flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dielectric barrier layer as an intermediary between the second electrode and the liquid. This dielectric layer enables electrical isolation while still allowing plasma generation to occur at or near the liquid interface, thus maintaining plasma effectiveness while achieving electrical isolation and design flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the second electrode is spaced farther from the first electrode, then design flexibility and electrical isolation are improved, but plasma generation area may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidplasma generation area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric barrier acts as an intermediary that enables the second electrode to be positioned at optimal distances from the first electrode without directly contacting the liquid. This spacing can be optimized for electrical isolation while the dielectric layer ensures plasma generation effectiveness is maintained across the electrode gap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conductive elements contact the liquid directly, then plasma injection efficiency is improved, but application scope and system safety are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplasma injection efficiencyVSAvoidapplication scope
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric barrier serves as a mediator that allows plasma to be generated and injected into the liquid without direct contact between conductive electrode elements and the liquid. This enables the system to maintain high plasma injection efficiency while expanding application scope to include electrically sensitive liquids and improving system safety.

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 design enhances plasma generation area and effectiveness by maintaining a gas zone above the liquid, allowing for extended plasma generation and electrical isolation, thus increasing system efficiency and flexibility in applications.

Implementation Method 1

A stream of gas may be introduced to the space between the electrodes such that it passes through the electric field. Exposure to the electric field generally ionizes the gas and creates a plasma.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

In cases where the liquid needs to be electrically isolated from the electrode, the second electrode may be dielectrically isolated from the liquid by a non-conductive layer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric isolation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP3356026B1Plasma reactor for liquid and gas
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 INJECT TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • EP3356026B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3356026B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3356026B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A system for performing treatment of a liquid by ionized gas comprises a laminar flow liquid gas plasma reactor. The plasma reactor includes electrodes, an upper and lower flow spreader, and a housing. The reactor uses gas to form a gas zone above the liquid where the gas is ionized directly above and in direct contact with the liquid. The ionized gas reacts with the liquid to form an effluent.