Plasma Gas Generator On-Demand Nitric Oxide Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited availability and short shelf life of nitric oxides due to their toxic nature make it challenging to inventory and store them effectively, necessitating a method for on-demand generation to avoid these issues.
Innovation Solution
A plasma directed electron beam (PDEB) system that uses a coaxial energy delivery method to confine and direct a radio frequency electromagnetic wave, accelerating electrons to energize gas molecules, allowing for the selective dissociation and combination of atoms to produce nitric oxides efficiently and predictably.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nitric oxides are stored for future use, then availability is improved, but toxic nature and short shelf life cause safety and quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a plasma generation capability that can immediately produce nitric oxides when needed, rather than storing them. The plasma source is ready in advance to convert nitrogen and oxygen gases into nitric oxide on-demand, eliminating the need to inventory toxic gases while ensuring immediate availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates nitric oxides autonomously when triggered, using ambient or supplied nitrogen and oxygen gases as feedstock. The plasma process self-regulates to produce the required nitric oxide without requiring pre-stored chemicals, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating toxic inventory concerns.
2Productivity
If conventional plasma systems are used to produce nitric oxides, then production is achieved, but inconsistent radial power density reduces manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a co-axial electrode configuration where the electric field and plasma are concentrated along a specific central axis, creating a localized region of enhanced power density. This geometric arrangement ensures that the energy input is uniformly distributed radially across the plasma channel, producing consistent reaction conditions along the entire plasma path and enabling predictable nitric oxide 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
The PDEB system enables the reliable and efficient production of nitric oxides by maintaining consistent radial power density, overcoming the limitations of conventional plasma systems and allowing for on-demand generation, with applications beyond nitric oxide production, including material modification, sterilization, and waste treatment.
Implementation Method 1
By manipulating the magnetic component of an electromagnetic wave, the electrons from a power source are accelerated to the point wherein the electrons, as a compressed wave, are spontaneously emitted
Implementation Method 2
The electrons are accelerated to sufficient speed to energize the tubular or columnar flow of gas to the plasma state
Implementation Method 3
the electrons, as a compressed wave, are spontaneously emitted from a metallic conductor surrounded by a tubular or columnar flow of a gas
Implementation Method 4
the plasma and the electromagnetic wave travelling coaxially from the point of emission to a target material... the outside portion of the plasma column serves as an insulator to confine and compress the electromagnetic wave
Implementation Method 5
the PDEB may be energized to disassociate the diatomic molecules N2 and O2 found in air to their monatomic units—i.e., N and O
Implementation Method 6
as the plasma sheath propagates away from the end of the electrode, and the radial power density in the plasma sheath drops, atoms—e.g., nitrogen and oxygen—will combine in predictable ways... nitrogen will be more likely to combine with the scarce oxygen to form NO
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating an output gas, comprising plasmatizing an input gas with RF power propagating from a tip of an electrode to form an annular plasma sheath constrained by a tube with said RF power propagating within said annular plasma sheath; and forming said output gas as said annular plasma sheath propagates away from said tip of said electrode.