SYSTEM FOR TREATING A SUBSTANCE WITH WAVE ENERGY FROM AN ELECTRICAL ARC AND A SECOND SOURCE

• US 20110303532A1
• Filed: 07/20/2011
• Published: 12/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs LLC
• Original Assignee: Foret Plasma Labs LLC
• Inventors: Foret, Todd
• Granted Patent: US 8,764,978 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/269
• CPC Class Codes: A23B 4/015 Preserving by irradiation or electric treatment without heating effect
• CPC Class Codes: A23C 3/07 by irradiation, e.g. by microwaves ; by sonic or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A23C 3/073 by sonic or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A23C 3/076 by ultraviolet or infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/50 by irradiation or electric treatment without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/26 by irradiation without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/91 Bacteria; Microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/802 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/804 UV light
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/806 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/81 X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/816 Sonic or ultrasonic vibration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/007 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/32 by electrical effects other than those provided for in group B01D61/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/008 Processes for carrying out reactions under cavitation conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/08 Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor application of shock waves B01J3/08
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/088 giving rise to electric discharges for heating purposes H05B7/00; for the production of ozone C01B13/11, H01T19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/10 employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/12 : employing electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/123 : Ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/126 : Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/128 : Infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/129 : Radiofrequency
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/2405 : provoking a turbulent flow of the reactants, such as in cyclones, or having a high Reynolds-number
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/247 : Suited for forming thin films
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0809 : employing two or more electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/083 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0839 : Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0869 : Feeding or evacuating the reactor
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0875 : Gas
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0877 : Liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0884 : Gas-liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0894 : Processes carried out in the presence of a plasma
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/12 : Processes employing electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/185 : vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/1946 : conical
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/006 : Water distributors either inside a treatment tank or directing the water to several treatment tanks; Water treatment plants incorporating these distributors, with or without chemical or biological tanks for settling tanks B01D21/24
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/20 : by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases degasification of liquids in general B01D19/00; arrangement of degassing apparatus in boiler feed supply F22D
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/30 : by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/302 : with microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/307 : with X-rays or gamma radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 : with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/34 : with mechanical oscillations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/36 : ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4608 : using electrical discharges
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46104 : Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46109 : Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/48 : with magnetic or electric fields C02F1/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46133 : characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46152 : characterised by the shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/008 : Originating from marine vessels, ships and boats, e.g. bilge water or ballast water
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/14 : Paint wastes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/16 : from metallurgical processes, i.e. from the production, refining or treatment of metals, e.g. galvanic wastes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/22 : from the processing of animals, e.g. poultry, fish, or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/32 : from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/365 : from petrochemical industry (e.g. refineries)
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 : Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower or fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3228 : Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/024 : Turbulent
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/026 : Spiral, helicoidal, radial
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 : Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/023 : Reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen, OH radical
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/10 : Photocatalysts
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 : Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 : using solar energy

Abstract

A system for treating a substance using a storage vessel and two or more devices disposed in a top of the storage vessel. Each device has: (a) a volute or cyclone head, (b) a throat connected to the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector connected to the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the opening of the throat along the central axis, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector and spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance is supplied to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and is irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources.

Claims

1. A system for treating a substance comprising:

a storage vessel;

two or more devices disposed in a top of the storage vessel, wherein each device comprises;

(a) a volute or cyclone head having an inlet and an outlet, (b) a throat having a first opening, a second opening and a central axis, wherein the first opening is connected to the outlet of the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at the vertex, wherein the opening is connected to the second opening of the throat such that the vertex and focus are axially aligned with the central axis and the focus is not located within the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the first opening of the ii throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the parabolic reflector, embedded within the parabolic reflector or disposed around the parabolic reflector; and

wherein the substance;

(a) enters each device through the inlet of the volute or cyclone head, (b) is irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources, (c) exits each device through the opening at the vertex of the parabolic reflection, and (d) enters the storage vessel.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the substance comprises a flowable solid, a liquid, a gas or a mixture thereof.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second wave energy source comprises one or more radio frequency coils or windings disposed inside at least a portion of the throat.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the throat is transparent or semi-transparent to the one or more wave energies produced by the second wave energy source.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the portion of the throat that is transparent or semi-transparent comprises alumina, plastic, glass or fiberglass.

6. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the second wave energy source comprises one or more radio frequency coils or windings embedded within or disposed around at least a portion of the throat.

7. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the second wave energy source comprises a waveguide surrounding at least a portion of the throat and a microwave source coupled to the waveguide.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the throat absorbs the one or more wave energies produced by the second wave energy source and emits an infrared radiation towards the central axis.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the portion of the throat that absorbs the one or more wave energies comprises graphite or silicon carbide.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the throat further comprises:

a porous inner portion; and

a throat inlet connected to the porous inner portion.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein a liquid or gas is introduced into the throat via the throat inlet.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the liquid comprises water or hydrogen peroxide.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the gas comprises a steam or a combustible gas.

14. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second wave energy source comprises one or more plasma torches connected tangentially to the throat such that a plasma generated by the one or more plasma torches rotates within the throat in a same direction as the substance.

15. The system as recited in claim 14, wherein the plasma torch comprises a third electrode having a polarity that is opposite to a polarity of the first electrode or the second electrode.

16. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more wave energies comprise an ultraviolet radiation, a vacuum ultraviolet radiation, an infrared radiation, a visible light radiation, a microwave radiation, a radio frequency radiation, a sonic energy, an ultrasonic energy, an electrolysis or a combination thereof.

17. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the substance is irradiated by the one or more wave energies produced by:

(a) a plasma core created by an electrical arc between the first electrode and the second electrode, (b) the second wave energy source, and (c) reflection of the one or more wave energies by the parabolic reflector.

18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the second wave energy source is directly or inductively coupled to the plasma core.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein a current supplied to the first and second electrodes is reduced or turned off after the second wave energy source is coupled to the plasma core, wherein the plasma core is sustained by the second wave energy source.

20. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein a first zone of wave energy is created proximate to the plasma core, and a second zone of wave energy is created within the parabolic reflector.

21. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes comprise carbon, graphite or other electrically conductive material.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a central core of gas around the wave energy source.

23. The system as recited in claim 22, wherein the gas comprises oxygen, hydrogen, an inert gas or a combination thereof.

24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the gas reduces oxidation of the wave energy source, changes a spectrum of one or more of the wave energies or a combination thereof.

25. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the hydrogen is generated from hydrogen peroxide.

26. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a power supply connected to the first electrode and the second electrode;

a mechanism to strike an arc between the first electrode and the second electrode; and

the throat is straight or cone shaped.

27. The system as recited in claim 26, wherein the mechanism comprises an actuator to move the first electrode into contact with the second electrode, or a pushrod to contact the second electrode.

28. The system as recited in claim 27, wherein the storage vessel includes one or more filters or a filter media.

29. The system as recited in claim 28, wherein a third zone of wave energy is created proximate to the one or more filters or the filter media.

30. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the parabolic reflector is coated with a catalyst.

31. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the second wave energy source is further disposed inside the parabolic reflector, embedded within the parabolic reflector or disposed around the parabolic reflector.

32. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the parabolic reflector is transparent or semi-transparent to the one or more wave energies produced by the second wave energy source and is reflective to ultraviolet light.

33. A system for treating a substance comprising:

a storage vessel;

two or more devices disposed in a top of the storage vessel, wherein each device is substantially as shown in FIG. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, 13A, 13B or 13C; and

wherein the substance;

(a) enters each device through an inlet, (b) is irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by a first and second wave energy sources, (c) exits each device, and (d) enters the storage vessel.