Abstract: A plasma source comprising a first hollow electrode and a second hollow electrode separated by a gap and a dielectric barrier of a constant width; wherein the plasma source is configured to selectively produce a plasma in either one of a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein, i) in the first configuration, a plasma-forming gas flows in the gap while a non plasma-forming gas flows within the first hollow electrode; and ii) in the second configuration, a plasma-forming gas flows within the first hollow electrode and a non plasma-forming gas flows within the gap. The method comprises selecting at least two gases of different breakdown voltages, injecting a first gas in a first electrode separated from a second hollow electrode by a gas gap of a constant width, injecting a second gas in the gas gap under an applied power.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment apparatus of present invention has an electro-coagulation unit for removing contaminants with at least one anode and at least one cathode and an electro-oxidation unit for oxidizing contaminants with at least one anode and at least one cathode wherein oxidants are electrochemically generated. Based on the type of wastewater, the apparatus can have an electro-flotation unit between the electrocoagulation unit and the electro-oxidation unit. The apparatus also has an oxidant removal unit which can have a metal ion-liberating electrode for reacting with and removing residual oxidants. In some cases, portions of effluent from the oxidant removal unit can be recirculated to the electro-coagulation unit for increased efficiency.

Abstract: A plasma source comprising a first hollow electrode and a second hollow electrode separated by a gap and a dielectric barrier of a constant width; wherein the plasma source is configured to selectively produce a plasma in either one of a first configuration and a second configuration; wherein, i) in the first configuration, a plasma-forming gas flows in the gap while a non plasma-forming gas flows within the first hollow electrode; and ii) in the second configuration, a plasma-forming gas flows within the first hollow electrode and a non plasma-forming gas flows within the gap. The method comprises selecting at least two gases of different breakdown voltages, injecting a first gas in a first electrode separated from a second hollow electrode by a gas gap of a constant width, injecting a second gas in the gas gap under an applied power.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment apparatus of present invention has an electro-coagulation unit for removing contaminants with at least one anode and at least one cathode and an electro-oxidation unit for oxidizing contaminants with at least one anode and at least one cathode wherein oxidants are electrochemically generated. Based on the type of wastewater, the apparatus can have an electro-flotation unit between the electrocoagulation unit and the electro-oxidation unit. The apparatus also has an oxidant removal unit which can have a metal ion-liberating electrode for reacting with and removing residual oxidants. In some cases, portions of effluent from the oxidant removal unit can be recirculated to the electro-coagulation unit for increased efficiency.

Abstract: An integrated device for wastewater purification, comprising a coagulation zone; a flocculation zone connected to and in fluid communication with the coagulation zone; a flotation zone connected to and in fluid communication with the flocculation zone and comprising a froth discharge port; and a separation zone below and in fluid communication with the flotation zone and comprising a contaminant separator and a purified wastewater discharge port; the wastewater entering the device being mixed with electrolytically-generated coagulants and gas bubbles in the coagulation zone; the flocculation zone receiving and gently mixes coagulated wastewater contaminants and gas bubbles formed in the coagulation zone and aggregating them into flocs before flotation of buoyant flocs in the flotation zone and the separation zone being adapted for further floc formation, oil coalescence, settling and discharge of non-buoyant contaminants.

Abstract: An integrated device for wastewater purification, comprising a coagulation zone; a flocculation zone connected to and in fluid communication with the coagulation zone; a flotation zone connected to and in fluid communication with the flocculation zone and comprising a froth discharge port; and a separation zone below and in fluid communication with the flotation zone and comprising a contaminant separator and a purified wastewater discharge port; the wastewater entering the device being mixed with electrolytically-generated coagulants and gas bubbles in the coagulation zone; the flocculation zone receiving and gently mixes coagulated wastewater contaminants and gas bubbles formed in the coagulation zone and aggregating them into flocs before flotation of buoyant flocs in the flotation zone and the separation zone being adapted for further floc formation, oil coalescence, settling and discharge of non-buoyant contaminants.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment apparatus of present invention has an electro-coagulation unit for removing contaminants with at least one anode and at least one cathode and an electro-oxidation unit for oxidizing contaminants with at least one anode and at least one cathode wherein oxidants are electrochemically generated. Based on the type of wastewater, the apparatus can have an electro-flotation unit between the electrocoagulation unit and the electro-oxidation unit. The apparatus also has an oxidant removal unit which can have a metal ion-liberating electrode for reacting with and removing residual oxidants. In some cases, portions of effluent from the oxidant removal unit can be recirculated to the electro-coagulation unit for increased efficiency.

Abstract: The wastewater treatment apparatus of present invention has an electro-coagulation unit for removing contaminants with at least one anode and at least one cathode and an electro-oxidation unit for oxidizing contaminants with at least one anode and at least one cathode wherein oxidants are electrochemically generated. Based on the type of wastewater, the apparatus can have an electro-flotation unit between the electro-coagulation unit and the electro-oxidation unit. The apparatus also has an oxidant removal unit which can have a metal ion-liberating electrode for reacting with and removing residual oxidants. In some cases, portions of effluent from the oxidant removal unit can be recirculated to the electro-coagulation unit for increased efficiency.

Abstract: A low-power atmospheric pressure plasma source, comprising a plasma-forming region for injection of a plasma-forming gas; an excitation region for injection of a source of reactive species downstream of the plasma-forming region; and a narrow converging plasma exit for producing a narrow plasma jet, the source being electrically decoupled from a substrate under treatment by the plasma jet. The present source may find applications for example for skin treatment, etching of skin cancer cells, detachment of cells, removal of skin pigmentation and deposition of temporary organic films.

Abstract: A low-power atmospheric pressure plasma source, comprising a plasma-forming region for injection of a plasma-forming gas; an excitation region for injection of a source reactive species downstream of the plasma-forming region; and a narrow converging plasma exit for producing a narrow plasma jet, the source being electrically decoupled from a substrate under treatment by the plasma jet. The present source may found applications for example for skin treatment, etching of skin cancer cells, detachment of cells, removal of skin pigmentation and deposition of temporary organic films.