Methods and systems for generating plasma activated liquid

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10692704-B2
Application number	US-201715807997-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 9, 2017
Priority date	Nov 10, 2016
Publication date	Jun 23, 2020
Grant date	Jun 23, 2020

Abstract

Exemplary systems and methods associated with activating fluids using indirect plasma. In particular, liquid can be activated to high concentrations and at high volumes by thinning and mixing the liquid as it is exposed to the plasma, resulting more efficient activation. Further increases in activation can be reached by re-circulating fluid for additional exposure to the plasma. High flow rates can be achieved with integrated systems that utilize multiple activation systems with coordinated control.

First claim

I claim:

1. A plasma activated liquid generation apparatus, comprising:
a supply of a liquid;
a spin disk, comprising:
a disk surface rotating about a disk center;
wherein the liquid is deposited onto the disk surface, and wherein the disk surface positions a layer of liquid proximate to a plasma; and

a plasma generating device for generating the plasma proximate to the layer of liquid on the disk surface of the spin disk, wherein at least a portion of the liquid exposed to the plasma becomes plasma activated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plasma generating device comprises:
an electrode;
a dielectric barrier configured to prevent the electrode from contacting the liquid; and
a conductive element, wherein the plasma is generated between the dielectric barrier and the conductive element.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a velocity differential between the liquid and the disk surface overcomes a surface tension of the liquid.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spin disk is configured to create a shearing force that mixes the layer of liquid while the liquid is exposed to the plasma.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a liquid feed tube connected below the spin disk;
wherein the liquid is deposited onto the disk surface through the liquid feed tube.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spin disk creates a first shearing force and a second shearing force that both mix the layer of liquid, wherein the first shearing force is caused by an angular velocity difference within the layer of liquid between the liquid at an outer surface away from the spin disk and the liquid against the spin disk in an angular direction, and wherein the second shearing force is caused by a radial velocity difference within the layer of liquid between the liquid at the outer surface away from the spin disk and the liquid against the spin disk in a radial direction.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 ,
wherein at least a portion of the liquid exposed to the plasma is recirculated back through the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a controller, wherein the controller comprises logic for regulating the generation of the plasma activated liquid.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein regulating the generation of the plasma activated liquid comprises controlling recirculation of liquid exposed to the plasma back through the apparatus.

10. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the conductive element is at least one of a conductive mesh or a conductive screen.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the conductive element is connected to circuitry that affects an electric field associated with the plasma.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the disk surface increases a speed of the liquid against the disk surface as the disk surface moves.

13. A system for providing plasma activated liquid, comprising:
a supply of a liquid;
a plurality of plasma activated liquid generation apparatuses, each comprising:
a spin disk, comprising:
a disk surface rotating about a disk center;
wherein the liquid is deposited onto the disk surface, and wherein the disk surface positions a layer of liquid proximate to a plasma; and

a plasma generating device for generating the plasma proximate to the layer of liquid on the disk surface of the spin disk, wherein at least a portion of the liquid exposed to the plasma becomes plasma activated; and

a controller, comprising logic for regulating the generation of the plasma activated liquid by the plurality of plasma activated liquid generation apparatuses.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein a first value of an operating parameter associated with one of the plurality of plasma activated liquid generation apparatuses is different than a second value of the operating parameter associated with another of the plurality of plasma activated liquid generation apparatuses to provide the plasma activated liquid according to at least one desired output parameter.

15. A plasma activated liquid generation apparatus, comprising:
a liquid delivery device for supplying a liquid;
a spin disk, comprising:
a disk surface rotating about a disk center;
wherein the liquid is delivered to the disk surface, and wherein the disk surface positions the liquid proximate to a plasma;

a plasma generating device for generating the plasma proximate to the liquid on the disk surface of the spin disk, wherein at least a portion of the liquid exposed to the plasma becomes plasma activated; and
a liquid collection device for collecting the liquid after exposure to the plasma.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a controller, wherein the controller comprises logic for regulating generation of the plasma activated liquid.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein regulating generation of the plasma activated liquid comprises controlling recirculation of liquid exposed to the plasma back through the apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein regulating generation of the plasma activated liquid comprises controlling blending of liquid exposed to the plasma with liquid not exposed to the plasma.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein regulating generation of the plasma activated liquid comprises controlling a characteristic of a circuit that affects an electric field associated with the plasma.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein regulating generation of the plasma activated liquid comprises controlling a concentration of an additive to the liquid.

Assignees

• Gojo Ind Inc

Inventors

• Louis Jeffrey S

Classifications

• B01J19/22

  in the form of endless belts · CPC title

• B01J19/1887

  forming a thin film · CPC title

• H01J37/32348

  Dielectric barrier discharge · CPC title

• H01J37/32761 Primary

  Continuous moving · CPC title