Liquid treatment method and liquid treatment apparatus for treating a liquid with plasma
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current plasma-based liquid sterilization methods require significant time and effort to determine sterilization efficiency, as they rely on bacterial cultivation, and the process is inefficient without controlling the liquid's pH.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates plasma between electrodes, measures hydrogen ion concentration, and adjusts the plasma application time based on calculated thresholds to determine and control sterilization efficiency, potentially adding acidic substances to reduce pH for enhanced sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plasma generation time is extended to improve sterilization efficiency, then sterilization effect is enhanced, but treatment time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors pH during plasma treatment and uses this feedback to determine when sterilization is complete. By measuring pH changes in real-time and comparing against predetermined thresholds, the system automatically stops plasma generation at the optimal moment, ensuring sufficient sterilization while minimizing unnecessary treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma generation system transitions from static fixed-time operation to dynamic adaptive operation. The treatment duration is no longer fixed but dynamically adjusted based on real-time pH measurements, allowing the system to optimize each treatment cycle according to actual sterilization progress and liquid conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If pH is not controlled during plasma treatment, then process simplicity is maintained, but sterilization efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the liquid's own pH response to plasma treatment as a self-indicating mechanism for sterilization progress. Rather than requiring external indicators or complex monitoring systems, the pH change of the liquid itself serves as the feedback signal, allowing the system to self-regulate treatment duration based on actual sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in pH parameter during treatment to determine sterilization completion. By establishing predetermined pH thresholds that correspond to effective sterilization levels, the system can objectively determine when treatment is sufficient without requiring complex additional measurements or subjective judgment.
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 approach allows for real-time determination of sterilization progress without bacterial cultivation, reduces sterilization time, and increases efficiency by controlling pH, thereby improving the plasma-based sterilization process.
Implementation Method 1
starting application of a power between a pair of electrodes to generate plasma, which causes active species to be produced in a liquid
Implementation Method 2
Upon a negative high-voltage pulse (2 to 50 kV/cm, 100 Hz to 20 kHz) being applied between the pair of electrodes, electrical discharge occurs
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid treatment method according to an aspect of the present disclosure comprises: starting application of a power between a pair of electrodes to generate plasma, which causes active species to be produced in a liquid; measuring the hydrogen ion concentration in the liquid while the plasma is generated; measuring a time elapsed after the starting the application of the power; and stopping the application of the power when a value calculated by (a) multiplying the hydrogen ion concentration by the elapsed time or (b) integrating the hydrogen ion concentration with respect to the elapsed time is larger than a first threshold.