Liquid Treatment Device Bubble Plasma Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid treatment apparatuses have low efficiency and require a long time to treat liquids, and are difficult to miniaturize due to their structure, which limits the generation of plasma and effective treatment of liquids.

Innovation Solution

A liquid treatment apparatus using a dielectric tube with a first electrode and a second electrode, where the longitudinal direction of the first electrode crosses the flow direction of the liquid, and a gas supplier generates a bubble that covers the first electrode, allowing for efficient plasma generation and radical production by applying voltage between the electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing liquid treatment apparatuses use conventional electrode structures, then plasma can be generated, but the treatment efficiency is low and the apparatus size cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid treatment efficiencyVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is segmented into modular components: a first electrode unit with gas supply for bubble generation, a second electrode unit, and a dielectric tube. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component and improves overall treatment efficiency while maintaining compact structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first electrode and second electrode are nested within the dielectric tube, with the gas supply system integrated into the first electrode structure. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization, enabling efficient plasma generation in a compact apparatus configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Loss of time

If conventional electrode arrangements are used, then electrodes can be disposed in liquid, but treatment time is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment timeVSAvoidtreatment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Gas is supplied to the first electrode before voltage application to pre-form bubbles in the liquid. This preliminary bubble formation ensures that plasma is generated immediately upon voltage application, eliminating delay time and improving treatment speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus uses periodic voltage application between the first and second electrodes to generate plasma in a controlled manner. This periodic action maintains high treatment efficiency while allowing for optimal plasma generation cycles, reducing overall treatment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If plasma generation is limited by conventional structures, then apparatus can be simple, but liquid treatment effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidelectrode configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A dielectric tube is introduced as an intermediary between the first and second electrodes. This dielectric barrier controls plasma generation, preventing direct contact between electrodes while enabling reliable plasma formation in the liquid, thereby ensuring sterilization effectiveness with a manageable electrode configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus controls plasma generation parameters by adjusting voltage amplitude, frequency, and gas supply rate. These parameter changes optimize plasma density and reactivity, ensuring effective sterilization and decomposition without requiring overly complex electrode structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 improves the efficiency and speed of liquid treatment, allowing for effective sterilization and decomposition of substances in a shorter time while reducing the apparatus size.

Implementation Method 1

causes an electrical discharge by applying a high-voltage pulse to these electrodes, to generate plasma

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical discharge: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

generate plasma in a bubble that is formed by instantaneous boiling

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma generation: Plasma

Implementation Method 3

generates a bubble that covers the first electrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBubble formation: Bubble

Implementation Method 4

the longitudinal direction of the first electrode crosses a direction in which the water to be treated flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3072854B1Liquid treatment device and liquid treatment method
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3072854B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3072854B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3072854B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid treatment apparatus (100) according to the present disclosure includes a dielectric tube (101) through which water to be treated flows, a first electrode (102) at least a part of which is disposed in the dielectric tube (101), a second electrode (103) at least a part of which is disposed in the dielectric tube (101) at a position upstream of the first electrode (102), a gas supplier (105) that supplies a gas for generating a bubble (111) that covers a conductor-exposed portion of the first electrode (102), and a power supply (104) that applies a voltage between the first electrode (102) and the second electrode (103).