Underwater Capillary Plasma Device for Pollutant Removal
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for purifying polluted water, such as ozone treatment and chemical addition, are inefficient and costly, and may cause side effects, necessitating a more effective and stable method for removing microorganisms.
Innovation Solution
An underwater capillary plasma device equipped with a gas channel that generates plasma discharge and injects auxiliary gases to enhance purification, increasing reactive species concentration and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods (ozone, chemicals, UV, heat) are used for water purification, then purification can be achieved, but purification performance is insufficient, costs are excessive, or side effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and chemical composition parameters by introducing auxiliary gas into the plasma discharge process. This modifies the plasma characteristics to generate higher concentrations of reactive species (OH radicals, O atoms) that enhance purification performance while avoiding the harmful side effects of conventional chemical methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical/chemical purification systems (ozone generators, chemical dosing systems, UV lamps, heat treatment equipment) with a plasma-based system that uses electrical discharge in capillary tubes. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky equipment and harsh chemicals while achieving superior purification results.
2Quantity of substance
If auxiliary gas is injected into the discharge electrode, then reactive species concentration and lifetime are increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention embeds the gas channel directly within the discharge electrode structure itself. The auxiliary gas inlet is integrated into the electrode, allowing gas to be supplied through capillary channels that are part of the electrode's own structure. This nesting approach increases reactive species concentration while minimizing additional device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge electrode incorporates capillary channels that function as porous structures for gas flow. These capillary tubes allow auxiliary gas to permeate through and interact with the plasma discharge, increasing reactive species generation without requiring separate complex gas delivery systems.
3Use of energy by moving object
If auxiliary gas is supplied to the discharge electrode, then energy consumption is reduced, but gas supply system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is nested within the electrode structure itself. The capillary channels are integrated into the electrode, eliminating the need for separate external gas delivery infrastructure. This reduces energy consumption for gas delivery while minimizing system complexity through integration.
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 removes pollutants and microorganisms by maximizing plasma purification effects with reduced energy use, achieving stable and efficient water purification.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge electrode configured to receive the power source supplied from the power supply unit and induce capillary plasma discharge inside a fluid
Implementation Method 2
plasma species can be generated from water decomposition caused by plasma discharge
Implementation Method 3
various chemical reactive species can be generated according to the injected auxiliary gas
Implementation Method 4
when a gas is injected as described herein, the reactive species generated by the plasma discharge can be increased in concentration and lifetime in the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An underwater capillary plasma device having a gas channel is provided. The underwater capillary plasma device includes a power supply unit configured to supply a power source, a discharge electrode configured to receive the power source supplied from the power supply unit and induce capillary plasma discharge inside a fluid, and a gas supply unit configured to inject an auxiliary gas into the discharge electrode. Since the underwater capillary plasma discharge electrode is equipped with a gas channel, plasma species can be generated from water decomposition caused by plasma discharge, and various chemical reactive species can be generated according to the injected auxiliary gas, thereby effectively removing underwater pollutants. Also, when a gas is injected as described herein, the reactive species generated by the plasma discharge can be increased in concentration and lifetime in the fluid so that a purification effect using plasma can be maximized. Further, when the auxiliary gas is supplied as described above, plasma can be generated even by a smaller supply of power, compared with when the auxiliary gas is not injected, thereby reducing energy consumption for purification of the fluid.