Plasma-Hydraulic Shock Wave Generator for Deep Wastewater Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wastewater cleaning systems using plasma technology are limited in their ability to effectively clean contaminants located far from the electrodes, as chemical radicals generated by electric discharges are highly reactive and short-lived, failing to reach and treat contaminants beyond the immediate vicinity.
Innovation Solution
A wastewater cleaning apparatus employing a plasma-hydraulic shock wave generator with a pair of plasma pencils, each comprising an elongated core, insulating, and metallic sleeves, generates shock waves through non-transferrable arc discharges, creating a plasmoid that induces thermolysis and produces shock waves capable of penetrating deep into the wastewater, effectively cleaning contaminants remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plasma is used to clean waste water through electric discharges, then chemical radicals are created to react with contaminants, but the cleaning effect is limited to the near vicinity of the electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the chemical radical mechanism with a mechanical shock wave mechanism. Instead of relying on chemical radicals that decay quickly, the system uses shock waves generated by plasma-hydraulic interaction to physically transport cleaning agents throughout the waste water, extending the effective cleaning range beyond the electrode vicinity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by applying high voltage pulses (exceeding 40 kV/m electric field strength) to generate intense plasma discharges. This creates a plasmoid that produces shock waves with sufficient energy to propagate through the entire waste water volume, transforming the cleaning mechanism from localized chemical reaction to volumetric physical-chemical treatment.
2Productivity
If high electric field strength is applied to generate plasma, then chemical radicals are produced quickly, but the radicals react very quickly and cannot reach distant contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces shock waves as an intermediary carrier that transports cleaning agents (chemical radicals and other plasma products) throughout the waste water. The shock waves act as a medium that delivers the short-lived radicals to distant contaminants, solving the problem of rapid radical decay by providing a mechanical transport mechanism that extends their effective range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies periodic voltage pulses to generate repeated plasma discharges and shock waves. This periodic action continuously replenishes the chemical radicals and maintains shock wave propagation, ensuring sustained cleaning effectiveness throughout the waste water volume despite the short lifetime of individual radicals.
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 system efficiently cleans wastewater throughout the reactor body by generating shock waves with sufficient speed and energy, producing nano-plasmas that react with contaminants, achieving thorough contamination removal beyond the immediate vicinity of the electrodes.
Implementation Method 1
first the core heats up due to Joule heating. This achieves a water vapor envelope around the core
Implementation Method 2
a rapid rise in temperature is achieved that leads to thermolysis of the water resulting in a rapid rise in volume of the water
Implementation Method 3
This implosion generates the shock waves that subsequently clean the contaminants in the waste water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3~4A
AI summary
The present invention relates to a waste water cleaning apparatus and system comprising the same. The waste water cleaning apparatus 602 for cleaning waste water with shockwaves comprises a reactor body 604 that stretches out between opposing ends and comprising a first water inlet 606 and a first water outlet 608, and a plasma-hydraulic shock wave generator 610. This generator 610 comprises a pair of plasma pencils 660, each plasma pencil being mounted to a respective end among said opposing ends and comprising an elongated core 662 configured to form a cathode of the plasma pencil, an elongated insulating sleeve 664 that is provided coaxially around the elongated core, and an elongated metallic sleeve 666 that is provided coaxially around the elongated insulating sleeve and that is configured to form an anode of the plasma pencil. Each plasma pencil has a tip part that is arranged inside the reactor body, said tip part being formed by a part of the elongated core extending in longitudinal direction out of the insulating sleeve, and a part of the insulating sleeve extending in longitudinal direction out of the metallic sleeve.