Method for disinfecting a dense fluid medium in a dense medium plasma reactor
First Claim
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1. A method of disinfecting a dense fluid medium containing at least one microorganism, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a reaction vessel for containing a dense fluid medium, the dense fluid medium containing at least one microorganism;
(b) charging the dense fluid medium into the reaction vessel;
(c) providing a first electrode comprising a first conductive material, the first electrode immersed within the dense fluid medium;
(d) providing a second electrode comprising a second conductive material, the second electrode immersed within the dense fluid medium and disposed opposite the first electrode;
(e) stirring the dense fluid medium between the first and second electrodes;
(f) applying an electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode to create a discharge zone comprising a plurality of discharges wherein the electric potential is high enough to produce reactive species in the dense fluid medium; and
(g) exposing the microorganisms in the dense liquid medium to the reactive species in the dense fluid medium for a time sufficient to at least partially inactivate the microorganisms.
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Abstract
A method for disinfecting water and other dense fluid media containing microorganisms is carried out in a dense media plasma reactor. The plasma reaction in the reactor produces reactive species, such as electrons, ions, and free radicals that promote the inactivation of the microorganisms. In various embodiments, the plasma reaction also sputters off minute antimicrobial particles of the electrically conducting material from which the electrodes are made.
91 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of disinfecting a dense fluid medium containing at least one microorganism, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a reaction vessel for containing a dense fluid medium, the dense fluid medium containing at least one microorganism;
(b) charging the dense fluid medium into the reaction vessel;
(c) providing a first electrode comprising a first conductive material, the first electrode immersed within the dense fluid medium;
(d) providing a second electrode comprising a second conductive material, the second electrode immersed within the dense fluid medium and disposed opposite the first electrode;
(e) stirring the dense fluid medium between the first and second electrodes;
(f) applying an electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode to create a discharge zone comprising a plurality of discharges wherein the electric potential is high enough to produce reactive species in the dense fluid medium; and
(g) exposing the microorganisms in the dense liquid medium to the reactive species in the dense fluid medium for a time sufficient to at least partially inactivate the microorganisms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of disinfecting a dense fluid medium containing at least one microorganism, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a first reaction container for containing a dense fluid medium, the dense fluid medium containing at least one microorganism;
(b) charging the dense fluid medium into the first reaction container;
(c) providing a first electrode comprising a first conductive material, the first electrode immersed within the dense fluid medium and housed in the first reaction container;
(d) providing a second electrode comprising a second conductive material, the second electrode immersed within the dense fluid medium and disposed opposite the first electrode in the first reaction container;
(e) applying an electric potential between the first electrode and the second electrode to create a discharge zone comprising a plurality of discharges wherein the electric potential is high enough to produce reactive species in the dense fluid medium;
(f) providing a second reaction container for containing a dense fluid medium, the second reaction container connected to and in fluid communication with the first reaction container through an inlet port;
(g) changing the dense fluid medium between the first reaction container and the second reaction container;
(h) providing a third electrode comprising a third conductive material, the third electrode immersed within the dense fluid medium and housed within the second reaction container;
(i) providing a fourth electrode comprising a fourth conductive material, the fourth electrode immersed within the dense fluid medium and disposed opposite the third electrode in the second reaction container;
wherein at least one of the third conductive material or the fourth conductive material comprises a material having antimicrobial properties and, further, wherein the electric potential between the third electrode and the fourth electrode is high enough to dislocate antimicrobial nanoparticles from the at least one conductive material having antimicrobial properties.
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Specification