Liquid Treatment Device Using Electron Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid treatment devices that generate plasma for sterilizing water face complications due to heat generation from arc discharge and require additional gases, leading to complex device configurations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid treatment device that simplifies configuration by using an electron emitting element with a first voltage applier to discharge electrons into air, generating treated liquids with target substances like radicals or ions without plasma, thereby avoiding heat issues and gas requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If arc discharge plasma is used to treat liquid, then sterilization effect is achieved, but heat generation occurs requiring separate cooling function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful arc discharge plasma generation method and replaces it with electron emission followed by ionization in the liquid. This separates the electron generation function (via electron emitting element) from the ionization process (occurring naturally in liquid), eliminating the need for complex cooling systems while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the treatment process by using low-energy electron emission (non-arc discharge) instead of high-energy arc discharge plasma. This parameter change reduces heat generation significantly while still achieving effective sterilization through generated reactive species in the liquid.
2Reliability
If atmospheric pressure plasma is used, then plasma treatment is achieved, but additional gases (oxygen, argon) and delivery mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system universal by using the liquid itself as the medium for ionization rather than requiring external gas supplies. The liquid serves multiple functions: as the treatment target, as the ionization medium, and as the source of reactive species, eliminating the need for separate gas delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid serves itself as the ionization medium and reaction environment. By emitting electrons into the liquid, the system utilizes the liquid's own molecular structure to generate ions and reactive species, making the liquid self-sufficient for the treatment process without external gas assistance.
3Reliability
If arc discharge plasma is used, then liquid treatment is achieved, but cooling function must be separately provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high-energy arc discharge into a beneficial low-energy electron emission process. The electrons emitted have sufficient energy to ionize liquid molecules and generate reactive species for sterilization, but not enough to cause excessive heat generation, thus converting a harmful thermal effect into a beneficial chemical effect.
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
The device effectively generates treated liquids with controlled concentrations of target substances, such as nitrite ions and hydrogen peroxide, while simplifying the configuration and reducing operational costs by eliminating the need for plasma and additional gases.
Implementation Method 1
a first voltage applier that discharges electrons from the electrode by applying a drive voltage to the electron emitting element
Implementation Method 2
a second voltage applier that applies a collection voltage between the electrode and the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid treatment device includes an electron emitting element, a first power supply, and a second power supply. The electron emitting element including a first electrode which is disposed facing water. The first power supply discharges electrons from the first electrode by applying a drive voltage to the electron emitting element. The second power supply applies a collection voltage between the first electrode and the water. The liquid treatment device preferably controls a substance added to the water by controlling the drive voltage.