Plasma Discharge in Liquid via Gas Gap and Vortex Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating plasma discharge in liquids, such as produced water from oil and gas production, face challenges including instability, inefficiency, and dependence on electric conductivity, which limits their effectiveness in treating large volumes of water.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a high-voltage electrode and a ground electrode spaced apart, with a channel for gas injection to create a vortex flow, increasing electrical impedance and stabilizing plasma discharge in liquids. This setup allows for efficient plasma generation in high-conductivity liquids by maintaining a gas gap between the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plasma discharge is generated in high-conductivity liquids using conventional electrode methods, then treatment of large volumes of water is enabled, but the plasma discharge becomes unstable and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gas as an intermediary substance between the electrodes in high-conductivity liquids. The gas forms a dielectric barrier that prevents direct electrical contact between electrodes, stabilizing the plasma discharge. This mediator allows the system to treat large volumes of water while maintaining discharge stability by controlling the electrical pathway through gas-phase insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the medium between electrodes by introducing gas. This transforms the continuous conductive liquid path into a discontinuous path interrupted by gas phases, fundamentally altering the electrical behavior and stabilizing plasma discharge in high-conductivity environments.
2Power
If electrodes are placed close together to generate plasma discharge, then plasma generation is efficient, but the electrical impedance is too low for stable discharge in high-conductivity liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical impedance parameter by introducing gas between electrodes. Even with close electrode spacing for efficient plasma generation, the gas phase increases the electrical impedance by providing dielectric insulation, enabling stable discharge in high-conductivity liquids without sacrificing plasma generation efficiency.
3Reliability
If gas is injected between electrodes to increase electrical impedance, then plasma discharge stability improves, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic injection of gas between electrodes to control plasma discharge stability. This uses fluid dynamics principles to deliver gas through injection nozzles or spargers, creating bubbles that provide dielectric barriers. The pneumatic system offers precise control over gas flow rates and bubble distribution, achieving reliable plasma stabilization without excessive system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for generating a plasma discharge in liquid utilizes first and second electrodes spaced apart in an interior space of a vessel holding the liquid. A channel can be defined in certain embodiments at least partially by at least one of the first and second electrodes, and an inlet in fluid communication with the interior space is configured to generate a vortical fluid flow in the vessel. A method for generating a plasma discharge in liquid is also provided. A high voltage electrode for generating a plasma discharge in liquid that includes a central solid cylindrical rod is also provided.