Electrostatic Field Or Electrical Discharge Patents (Class 422/186.04)
  • Patent number: 8747763
    Abstract: In order to provide a plasma sterilization apparatus with high plasma generation efficiency, the apparatus includes first and second electrodes (3, 2), a first dielectric body layer (1), and an insulating spacer (6). The first dielectric body layer (1) is disposed between the first and second electrodes (3, 2). The insulating spacer (6) is disposed between the first electrode (3) and the first dielectric body layer (1). The insulating spacer (6) has a lower permittivity than a permittivity of the first dielectric body layer (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Tandou, Nobuyuki Negishi, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Keizo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8747624
    Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
    Inventor: Marshall Medoff
  • Publication number: 20140154173
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and systems for hydrogen production using an electro-activated material are provided. In some exemplary embodiments, carbon can be electro-activated and used in a chemical reaction with water and a fuel, such as aluminum, to generate hydrogen, where the by-products are electro-activated carbon, and aluminum oxide or aluminum hydroxide. Controlling the temperature of the reaction, and the amounts of aluminum and electro-activated carbon can provide hydrogen on demand at a desired rate of hydrogen generation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: H2 CATALYST, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Phillips
  • Patent number: 8734727
    Abstract: Apparatus for the production of a product gas (eg hydrogen and ozone) comprises: a supply of reactant gas (eg oxygen and steam) (14); a pair of electrodes (24) with a space between them of less than 1 mm (28); a conduit to lead the reactant gas from the source through the space between the electrodes; a power source (26) to apply a voltage across the electrodes to dissociate the reactant gas and ultimately permit formation of product gas; and a conduit (40) to supply the product gas to an outlet. A sterilization unit for water treatment employs such apparatus and includes a fluidic oscillator to oscillate the flow of oxygen and/or ozone, and wherein said outlet comprises a plurality of orifices (42) to be submerged in said water and for the purpose of forming micro bubbles of ozone. An analyzer for detecting large organic molecules in eg air can employ the ozone generator to breakdown the large molecule into simpler and easier-to-detect-and-identify molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Perlemax Ltd.
    Inventors: William Bauer Jay Zimmerman, Jaime Humberto Lozano Parada
  • Patent number: 8734003
    Abstract: A method comprising, providing a droplet having a first chemical species and a second chemical species on a substrate, and applying a voltage across the droplet to physically repeatedly deform the droplet. In this embodiment, the applying causes the droplet to move with respect to an object located therein and at least partially mix the first chemical species and the second chemical species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Joanna Aizenberg, Paul Robert Kolodner, Thomas Nikita Krupenkin
  • Publication number: 20140142255
    Abstract: A plasma treatment method that includes providing treatment chamber including an intermediate heating volume and an interior treatment volume. The interior treatment volume contains an electrode assembly for generating a plasma and the intermediate heating volume heats the interior treatment volume. A work piece is traversed through the treatment chamber. A process gas is introduced to the interior treatment volume of the treatment chamber. A plasma is formed with the electrode assembly from the process gas, wherein a reactive species of the plasma is accelerated towards the fiber tow by flow vortices produced in the interior treatment volume by the electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Felix L. Paulauskas, Truman Bonds
  • Patent number: 8729419
    Abstract: A metal microparticle generator has a discharge electrode formed from a core, which includes platinum, and a cover, which includes zinc and covers the core. A high voltage application unit applies high voltage to the discharge electrode to generate platinum microparticles and zinc microparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukiko Mishima, Hiroshi Suda
  • Publication number: 20140120029
    Abstract: Disclosed is a trekking atom nanotube growth technology capable of continuously growing long, high quality nanotubes. This patent application is a Continuation In Part of the Proximate Atom Nanotube Growth patent application Ser. No. 13/694,088 filed on Oct. 29, 2012. The current invention represents a departure from chemical vapor deposition technology as the atomic feedstock does not originate in the gaseous environment surrounding the nanotubes. The technology mitigates the problems that cease carbon nanotube growth in chemical vapor deposition growth techniques: 1) The accumulation of material on the surface of the catalyst particles, suspected to be primarily amorphous carbon, 2) The effect of Ostwald ripening that reduces the size of smaller catalyst particles and enlarges larger catalyst particles, 3) The effect of some catalyst materials diffusing into the substrate used to grow carbon nanotubes and ceasing growth when the catalyst particle becomes too small.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Bryan Edward Laubscher
  • Patent number: 8709230
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting ions in order to produce gas from liquid. A first electric field source is electrically insulated from the liquid by an insulating layer. A first conductive deionization surface is positioned in the liquid and within a field line of the first electric field source. An electric conductor is connected to the first conductive deionization surface to discharge charge built up due to attracted ions located on the first conductive deionization surface. The gas is produced on said first conductive deionization surface when said first conductive deionization surface is positioned within the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: HPT (Hydrogen Production Technology) AG
    Inventor: David Haitin
  • Patent number: 8709351
    Abstract: A continuous feed discharge surface treater for treating web materials has a discharge chamber where ionization of a process gas occurs defined and contained by one or more rollers. Enhanced chemical coronas and plasmas are achieved by limiting depletion of the gas chemistry from the discharge chamber and dilution or contamination from mixing with drawn in ambient air. Atmospheric coronas can also be achieved in which minimal or no ozone is exhausted from the treater. Various roller and electrode assemblies, including both fixed and rolling electrodes, can be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Enercon Industris Corporation
    Inventors: Richard R. Hammen, Joseph Roethle, Gregory W. Schuelke
  • Publication number: 20140113980
    Abstract: The Centrifugal Fluid Ring Plasma Reactor employs a centrifugal impeller and a fluid barrier to mix multi-phase fluids and repeatedly move the mixture through a reaction zone, where the mixture contacts catalysts and/or is subjected to electromagnetic, mechanical, nuclear, and/or sonic energy to create ions, free radicals or activated molecules, which initiate or promote a desired reaction. In one embodiment, high-voltage electromagnetic energy is applied to Cobalt and Tungsten/Thorium electrodes in the reaction zone to create plasma. The Centrifugal Fluid Ring Plasma Reactor is suitable for converting carbon dioxide and methane into useful fuel products and for performing other multi-phase chemical reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Max MANDLE
  • Patent number: 8696983
    Abstract: A plasma sterilizing device has a container for a long tubule to be sterilized, having an adjustable internal pressure, and an electrode provided at at least one end of the long tubule. The device is configured so that plasma is generated inside the long tubule by applying an alternating current voltage to the electrode in such a state that the pressure inside and outside of the long tubule can be adjusted, so that there is a predetermined difference in pressure between the inside and the outside of the long tubule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Saga University
    Inventors: Nobuya Hayashi, Satoshi Kitazaki
  • Patent number: 8696997
    Abstract: Sterilisation apparatus arranged controllably to generate and emit hydroxyl radicals. The apparatus includes an applicator which receives RF or microwave energy, gas and water mist in a hydroxyl radical generating region. The impedance at the hydroxyl radical generating region is controlled to be high to promote creation of an ionisation discharge which in turn generates hydroxyl radicals when water mist is present. The applicator may be a coaxial assembly or waveguide. A dynamic tuning mechanism e.g. integrated in the applicator may control the impedance at the hydroxyl radical generating region. The mist and/or gas and/or energy delivery means may be integrated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Creo Medical Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Hancock
  • Patent number: 8696996
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for generating a barrier discharge in a gas flow, comprising a reactor chamber permeable by the gas from an inflow side to an outflow side, a first electrode, a dielectric that shields the reactor chamber against the first electrode, and a second electrode, wherein the second and the first electrode can be switched to connect to a voltage source. To briefly expose a greater portion, preferably all, of the gas flow through the reactor chamber to a plasma, at least two discharge elements associated with the first electrode and made of electrically conductive material protrude at least partially into the reactor chamber and are electrically insulated from each other and the first and second electrodes, and the second electrode is disposed relative to the discharge elements such that discharges occur between the discharge elements and the second electrode in the reactor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Reinhausen Plasma GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Albrecht, Eckart Theophile
  • Patent number: 8699655
    Abstract: The present invention relates to tubular elements, such as fuel assembly tubes, which are designed to be used in high pressure and high temperature water in nuclear reactors, such as pressurized water nuclear reactors. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of improving wear resistance and corrosion resistance by depositing a protective coating having a depth of from about 5 to about 25 ?m on the surface of the tubular elements. The coating is provided by nitriding the tubular element at a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 440° C. The nitridation of the tubular element can be carried out for a duration of from about 12 hours to about 40 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
    Inventor: Nagwa Mahmoud Elshaik
  • Patent number: 8685332
    Abstract: Apparatus is described for treating an effluent gas stream from a semiconductor manufacturing process tool. The apparatus comprises a plasma torch for generating a glow discharge from an inert, ionisable gas. The gas stream is conveyed to the glow discharge to ignite a plasma. A source of electromagnetic radiation supplies electromagnetic radiation to the effluent gas stream to sustain the plasma. The apparatus is particularly suitable for treating perfluorinated and hydroflurocarbon compounds in the effluent gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventor: Andrew James Seeley
  • Patent number: 8685328
    Abstract: In order to remove a pathogenic effect of a microorganism in a room or a work space in a short period of time, an ion diffusing apparatus, which includes an ion generator (17, 18) for generating positive ions each including H+(H2O)m and negative ions each including O2?(H2O)n, where m and n are arbitrary integers, and a blower for delivering the positive ions and the negative ions, which are generated from the ion generator (17), from a blowout opening, is operated to widely distribute, with a high concentration, the positive ions and the negative ions in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Okano, Kazuo Nishikawa, Hisaharu Yagi, Norihiro Matsuoka, Tomonori Akai, Misaki Nakamura, Yoshihiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8679409
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a filter device. The filter device comprises a housing with an air inlet and an filtered air outlet; a high voltage electric field region provided between two ends of the housing, wherein the direction of the electric field is perpendicular to the direction along which the air is introduced into the housing; an ionization source provided in the electric field region to ionize the ionizable pollutants present in the air introduced from the air inlet and form the resultant ionized pollutants which will move towards both ends of the housing under the influence of the electric field; and a discharging device for discharging the ionized pollutants which have arrived at the ends of the housing out of the filter device. The present invention also relates to a filtering method of using the filter device, and a trace detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nuctech Company Limited
    Inventors: Yangtian Zhang, Jin Lin
  • Publication number: 20140076712
    Abstract: A device with a pouch having a pouch wall with an inner side and an outer side, the pouch wall defining an interior of the pouch. A plurality of electrodes embedded in the pouch wall with at least one electrode partially exposed within the interior of the pouch. The plurality of electrodes generate plasma within the interior of the pouch in response to application of an voltage to the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: JAMEY D. JACOB, Kedar K. Pai
  • Publication number: 20140073708
    Abstract: Multiple catalytic processing stations coupled with a system which produces volatile gas streams from biomass decomposition at discrete increasing temperatures or constant temperature. These catalytic processing stations can be programmed to maximize conversion of biomass to jet fuel components. The system may also include a processing station for subjecting biomass within the stations to at least one programmable starting temperature (Tstart) and for incrementing an individual processing station temperature by programmable increments (?T) to produce a volatile and a non-volatile component. Further, methods for converting biomass and char to renewable jet fuel, diesel, and kerosene are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Cool Planet Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. CHEIKY, Rajashekharam MALYALA, Ronald A. SILLS
  • Patent number: 8663569
    Abstract: An ozone generating apparatus according to one embodiment includes a hollow cylindrical sealed container provided with an inlet for a feed gas containing oxygen gas and an outlet for an ozonized gas. A discharge tube including a dielectric tube arranged within the container and a first electrode arranged within the dielectric tube is provided in the container. A second electrode is arranged within the container and surrounds the first electrode, spaced apart from the dielectric tube to form a discharge gap between the second electrode and the dielectric tube. The apparatus further includes a discharge voltage source configured to apply a discharging voltage across the first and second electrodes, and a cooling water jacket surrounding the second electrode. The dielectric tube has an outer diameter of 12 mm or more, but 19 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takaaki Murata, Kiyoyuki Amemori, Ryutaro Makise, Kanako Nakajima, Kazuhiko Noda, Michiko Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8663572
    Abstract: The present invention provides a microplasma jet generator capable of stably generating a microplasma jet in a microspace at atmospheric pressure with low electric power. The microplasma jet generator is driven with a VHF power supply to generate an inductively coupled microplasma jet and includes a substrate, a micro-antenna disposed on the substrate, and a discharge tube located close to the micro-antenna. The micro-antenna has a flat meandering shape with plural turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventor: Takanori Ichiki
  • Patent number: 8663570
    Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus and an ion generating apparatus, which generate sufficient amount of cations in a short period of time and also maintain the amount of ions generated at a level that is harmless to the human body. The sterilizing apparatus and the ion generating apparatus optimize the position of an electrode to maximize the generation of active hydrogen. The ion generating apparatus includes a first electrode for generating hydrogen ions and a second electrode located such that the second electrode is separated from the first electrode by a designated distance for generating electrons and superoxide anions. The hydrogen ions generated from the first electrode react with the electrons generated from the second electrode to produce hydrogen atoms, and the hydrogen atoms react with the superoxide anions generated from the second electrode to sterilize the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon Gi On, Jun Sang Jeon, Eun Ju Ha
  • Publication number: 20140047761
    Abstract: The Centrifugal Fluid Ring Reactor employs a centrifugal impeller and a fluid barrier to mix multi-phase fluids and repeatedly move the mixture through a reaction zone, where the mixture contacts catalysts and/or is subjected to electromagnetic, mechanical, nuclear, or sonic energy to create ions, free radicals or activated molecules, which initiate or promote a desired reaction. It can be used to convert carbon dioxide, methane and other gaseous carbon sources into liquid fuel at ambient temperature and pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Richard Max Mandle, James Edward Grady
  • Publication number: 20140048411
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring properties of graphene includes exposing the graphene to plasma having a density in a range from about 0.3*108 cm?3 to about 30*108 cm?3 when the graphene is in a ground state. The method and apparatus may be used for large-area, low-temperature, high-speed, eco-friendly, and silicon treatment of graphene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-young CHOI, Won-jong YOO, Seung-hwan LEE, Yeong-dae LIM
  • Publication number: 20140048409
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of generating oxygen. The method addresses the objects of reducing the servicing work and improving the purity of the generated oxygen. According to the invention, the method comprises the steps of: providing an oxygen comprising gas at a primary side of a dense voltage drivable membrane (12); applying a voltage between a conductive element at the primary side of the membrane (12) and a conductive element at a secondary side of the membrane (12), the conductive elements being electrically connected to the membrane (12), wherein a plasma (18, 20) is generated at at least one of the primary side and the secondary side of the membrane (12), the plasma (18, 20) being used as conductive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Hilbig, Achim Gerhard Rolf Koerber, Mareike Klee, Wilhelmus Cornelis Keur
  • Publication number: 20140044604
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a carbon monoxide containing product in which cathode and anode sides of an electrically driven oxygen separation device are contacted with carbon dioxide and a reducing agent, respectively. The carbon dioxide is reduced to carbon monoxide through ionization of oxygen and the reducing agent lowers the partial pressure of oxygen at the anode side to partially drive oxygen ion transport within the device through the consumption of the oxygen and to supply heat. The lowering of oxygen partial pressure reduces voltage and therefore, electrical power required to be applied to the device and the heat is supplied to heat the device to an operational temperature and to the reduction of the carbon dioxide occurring at the cathode side. The device can be used as part of an integrated apparatus in which the carbon dioxide is supplied from a waste stream of a process plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Lane, Gervase Maxwell Christie, Dante Patrick Bonaquist
  • Patent number: 8647585
    Abstract: A sterilization system having a controllable (e.g. adjustably modulatable) non-ionising microwave radiation source for providing microwave energy for combining with a gas (e.g. an inert gas or a mixture of inert gases) to produce atmospheric low temperature plasma for sterilizing biological tissue surfaces or the like. A plasma generating region may be contained in a hand held plasma applicator. The system may include an impedance adjustor e.g. integrated in the plasma applicator arranged to set a plasma strike condition and plasma sustain condition. The gas and microwave energy may be transported to a plasma generating region along an integrated cable assembly. The integrated cable assembly may provide a two way gas flow arrangement to permit residual gas to be removed from the surface. Invasive surface plasma treatment is therefore possible. The plasma applicator may have multiple plasma emitters to produce a line or blanket of plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Creo Medical Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Hancock
  • Patent number: 8641976
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for synthesizing nano particles. The apparatus for synthesizing nano particles is configured to include: a plasma generator that generates plasma; a recovery device that recovers the synthesized nano particles; and a cooler that is disposed between the plasma generator and the recovery device and includes a cooling path where the nano particles are synthesized, while material supplied from the plasma generator is cooled, wherein the cooling path is set to have lower cooling temperatures for each section as going to the moving direction of the nano particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon Mo Song, Hyo Sub Kim, Gun Woo Kim, Sang Hyuk Kim, Sang Hoon Kwon, Kang Heon Hur
  • Patent number: 8641977
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating ozone inside packaged articles comprises an electrode assembly in which coplanar electrodes are supported along a contact surface. The electrodes are solid state conductive electrodes. These electrodes may be interdigitated and/or arranged with uniform spacing therebetween along a portion of their length. Where the electrodes are straight they may be parallel, but other shapes can also be evenly spaced. In some examples the electrodes are partially insulated and partially exposed. In some examples the electrodes are embedded/potted in an insulator to exclude air spaces from around the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ozonica Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm Robert Snowball
  • Publication number: 20140030162
    Abstract: A cold plasma device for large area decontamination that can function as a scrub brush to sterilize surfaces and areas that are otherwise difficult, time consuming and/or may cause exposure hazards under convention sterilization methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Gregory Konesky
  • Publication number: 20140010707
    Abstract: The device for the treatment of a gaseous medium according to the invention comprises in flow direction of the gaseous medium a plasma-generating device for the generation of a plasma in the gaseous medium. The plasma comprises in particular excited molecules, radicals, ions, free electrons, photons and any combination thereof. Furthermore, the device according to the invention comprises at least one dielectric structure, in particular at least one fused silica tube. The plasma is conveyable into the at least one dielectric structure, in particular after generation in the plasma-generating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Beaudouin
  • Publication number: 20140003994
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to minimize ozone production while increasing the production of an active species. The plasma generating device (100) comprises: a pair of electrodes (21, 22) in which dielectric films (21a, 21b) are disposed on at least one opposing face; voltage application means (4) for applying a pulse voltage across the electrodes (21, 22) to bring about a plasma discharger; and fluid circulation holes (21b, 22b) that are disposed in locations corresponding to the electrodes (21, 22), respectively, and that are configured to pass entirely therethrough. The plasma generating device is also configured such that a fluid passing through the fluid circulation holes (21b, 22b) comes into contact with the plasma, generating ions or radicals, wherein the voltage applying means (4) varies the peak value and/or the pulse width of the pulse voltage applied across the electrodes (21, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Takenoshita, Makoto Miyamoto, Seiro Yuge, Yuki Kumagai, Yoko Nakayama, Hideo Nojima, Myung Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 8617478
    Abstract: A catalytic device comprises a mixed structure of photocatalyst and silica. The mixed structure may be comprised of alternating layers of photocatalyst and silica, a layer having a uniform mixture of photocatalyst particles and silica particles, or a layer having a graded mixture of photocatalyst particles and silica particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Treese Hugener-Campbell, David F. Ollis, Thomas Henry Vanderspurt, Wayde R. Schmidt, Timothy N. Obee, Stephen O. Hay, Michael A. Kryzman
  • Patent number: 8617466
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a split and single electrical cells in industrial applications, and particularly in aseptic packaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon L. Herdt, Junzhong Li
  • Patent number: 8617477
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon feed includes a cell having two compartments and a membrane separating the compartments, wherein one compartment is communicated with a hydrogen source and the other compartment is communicated with the hydrocarbon feed to be treated, wherein the membrane comprises a palladium membrane which is modified to have an additional amount of a mix of palladium and other metals (Ni, Ag, Co and Au) between about 4.62*10?3 and 1.62*10?2 g/cm2; and a power source connected across the hydrogen source compartment to generate a current across same, whereby atomic hydrogen is formed from the hydrogen source at a surface of the membrane and diffuses across the membrane to react with the hydrocarbon feed. A process using this apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Intevap, S.A.
    Inventors: Victor Báez, Luiz Felipe D'Elia, Gaudy Rodriguez, Yolimar Gandica
  • Publication number: 20130334030
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to achieve soft ionization more easily when a slight amount of substance is ionized under an atmosphere pressure. The present invention provides an ionization method for a substance contained in a liquid, including: supplying the liquid to a substrate from a probe and forming a liquid bridge made of the liquid containing the substance dissolved therein, between the probe and the substrate; oscillating the substrate; and generating an electric field between an electrically conductive portion of the probe in contact with the liquid and an ion extraction electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicants: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, A SCHOOL CORPORATION KANSAI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yoichi Otsuka, Ryuichi Arakawa
  • Patent number: 8603403
    Abstract: A reactor for reforming a hydrocarbon, and associated processes and systems, are described herein. In one example, a reactor is provided that is configured to use non-equilibrium gliding arc discharge plasma. In another example, the reactor uses a vortex flow pattern. Two stages of reforming are described. In a first stage, the hydrocarbon absorbs heat from the wall of the reactor and combusts to form carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water. In a second stage, a gliding arc discharge is use to form syngas, which is a mixture of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. The heat generated by the combustion of the first stage transfers to the wall of the reactor and heated products of the second stage mix with incoming hydrocarbon to provide for partial recuperation of the reaction energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Alexander F. Gutsol, Alexander Fridman, Anatoliy Polevich, Michael J. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 8603402
    Abstract: A microwave-excited plasma device is proposed. The device comprises of a plurality of microwave plasma reaction units which are capable of generating plasma independently such that a large-area plasma is able to be generated by all of the units. Besides, the high cost of the large-area microwave coupling window and its deformation together with possible breakage caused by atmospheric pressure can be prevented. Moreover, when a plurality of permanent magnets is assembled upon each of the plasma reaction units, the microwave-excited plasma device is improved to be a large-area electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Chang, Kun-Ping Huang, Yu-Tse Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20130323132
    Abstract: A method and system for augmenting the heat energy of a plasma torch in a gassifier using chemical energy, including the steps of injecting a fuel in the proximity of a plasma torch inside the gassifier chamber; and injecting an oxidant in the proximity of a plasma torch inside the gassifier chamber. As apparatus, an enhanced plasma gassifier arrangement is of the type that has a gassifier chamber having an electrically operated plasma torch for issuing a plasma discharge into the gassifier chamber. A fuel injection arrangement is disposed to surround the electrically operated plasma torch for injecting a fuel and an oxidant into the gassifier chamber. A natural gas inlet delivers natural gas into the gassifier chamber, thereby enhancing the temperature within the gassifier chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: James C. Juranitch, Thomas R. Juranitch, Richard E. Tarrant
  • Patent number: 8586389
    Abstract: A method for detecting a ligand is provided. Antibodies to a predetermined ligand are attached to substrates. The substrates are superparamagnetic, dyed beads. The beads are exposed to an electromagnetic field to immobilize the beads. The beads are contacted with a sample and the antibodies are allowed to recognize and capture the ligand in the sample. The electromagnetic field is optionally removed. The beads are contacted with a liquid crystalline material and the light transmission properties of the liquid crystalline material are examined for alteration caused by the presence of aggregates of the beads and the ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventor: Christopher J. Woolverton
  • Publication number: 20130302215
    Abstract: A combination dielectric barrier discharge reactor includes a rectangular or cylindrical electrically insulative housing and a plurality of reactor units arranged in a parallel or series manner in the housing in a rectangular or circular array. Each reactor unit includes a hollow cylindrical electrode and a rod electrode extending along the longitudinal axis of the hollow cylindrical electrode and a DC working voltage 6 kv-500 kv applied to each reactor unit between the respective hollow cylindrical electrode and the respective rod electrode. The combination dielectric barrier discharge reactor is a modularized structure constructed subject to actual requirements, practical for decomposing waste lubricating oil, insulation oil, milling oil and smokes discharged from a kitchen, smoking room, motor vehicle or machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Hua-Ming LIU
  • Publication number: 20130295512
    Abstract: A distributed energy system includes a gas-loaded heat generator capable of producing a thermal energy. The system includes a gas source to provide one or more isotopes of hydrogen, a plurality of metallic micro-structures, a gas loading chamber containing the plurality of metallic micro-structures. The gas loading chamber is structured to receive the one or more isotopes of hydrogen from the gas source. The system also includes a gas loading system capable of providing a gas loading pressure to the gas loading chamber containing the plurality of metallic micro-structures with an amount of one or more isotopes of hydrogen to form hydrogen clusters. In one form, the system further includes a thermal transducer capable of converting a first portion of the thermal energy. In still another form, the system additionally includes a waste heat recovery device capable of applying a second portion of the thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: NPL ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: George H. Miley, Xiaoling Yang
  • Patent number: 8574407
    Abstract: The present invention relates to plasmonic structures of metal dielectrics and their use in corresponding processes that elicit surface plasmons which may then be employed to influence a chemical transformation. The frequency of a plasmon may be tuned to couple with a selected vibrational mode of a selected molecule to undergo a selected transition, such as transitions to a metastable state, bond rearrangement and/or chemical transformation via the breaking and reforming of bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Michael A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8574506
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for processing an exhaust gas, which enable to suppress decrease of pH and increase of ORP of a mixture of an aqueous solution of a reducing agent and an aqueous alkali solution circulated within a wet reactor comprising a reduction reaction region and an oxidation reaction region. The method and apparatus enable to prevent deterioration of the mixed aqueous solution, and can be continuously operated for a long time. Specifically, the ORP and pH of the mixed aqueous solution of the aqueous solution of a reducing agent and the aqueous alkali solution to be circulated within the wet reactor are measured, and a fresh aqueous solution of a reducing agent and a fresh aqueous alkali solution are supplied, if necessary, into a reservoir unit arranged in the lower part of the wet reactor so that the ORP and pH of the mixed aqueous solution are kept within predetermined ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Osaka Prefecture University Public Corporation, Japan Science and Technology Ageny
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kuroki, Masaaki Okubo, Toshiaki Yamamoto, Hidekatsu Fujishima, Keiichi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8574505
    Abstract: A reactor and a plant containing the reactor for conducting a continuous, industrial process for preparing high-purity silicon tetrachloride or high-purity germanium tetrachloride is provided. The plant contains a plasma reactor having a dielectric, a high voltage electrode and an earthed, metallic heat exchanger, in which the longitudinal axes of the dielectric, of the high-voltage electrode and of the earthed, metallic heat exchanger are oriented parallel to one another and at the same time parallel to the force vector of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Erwin Lang, Rainer Nicolai, Hartwig Rauleder
  • Patent number: 8574325
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to system and method for processing material to generate syngas. A reactor chamber is implemented with a plurality of electrodes that can generate an arc within the chamber when electricity is applied to them. The arc can be used to create free radicals which along with the heat and light of the arc breakdown material comprising carbonaceous material, such as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), into gas components that form syngas. The syngas can be extracted from the reactor chamber and be used for various commercial purposes. The reactor chamber may comprise a material feed system operable to move material from a material input opening in the reactor chamber towards the electrodes at a controlled rate. Further, the reactor chamber may comprise a water injection system within the reactor chamber operable to inject water into the reactor chamber while electricity is applied to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Responsible Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Christian Jensen, Graham Campbell Houze
  • Patent number: 8568662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma reaction apparatus and a plasma reaction method using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plasma reaction apparatus which is applied to the reforming of fuel by generating rotating arc plasma and using the rotating arc being generated, the chemical treatment of a persistent gas, and the apparatus for decreasing NOx by an occlusion catalyst, and a plasma reaction method using the same. For this purpose, a raw material for a reaction is allowed to flow through an inflow hole in a swirl structure so that the raw material forms a rotating flow to progress. Accordingly, the raw material is sufficiently reacted in a plasma reaction space of a restrictive volume, and a high temperature plasma reaction is more promptly performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials
    Inventors: Dae Hoon Lee, Kwan Tae Kim, Young Hoon Song, Min Suk Cha, Jae Ok Lee, Seock Joon Kim
  • Publication number: 20130272929
    Abstract: A sanitization station including a fluid source and one or more plasma generators for generating non-thermal plasma is disclosed. One or more nozzles spray a mist or stream of fluid through plasma generated by the one or more plasma generators to activate the fluid. The fluid is then used to sterilize an object. Another sanitization station includes a chamber for holding a fluid and a plasma generator in fluid communication with the chamber for generating plasma. A circulating source moves the fluid in the chamber past plasma generated by the plasma generator to activate the fluid and one or more spray nozzles coat the surface of an object with fluid that is activated by plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: EP Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Keith Allen Pelfrey, Robert Gray, Nick E. Ciaverella, John Peluso, Matt Archer, Jackson W. Wegelin
  • Patent number: 8551414
    Abstract: A plasma generating apparatus includes a linear electrode for generating a high voltage by resonance caused when the linear electrode is supplied with an AC signal current, an grounded electrode for defining an internal space spaced from the linear electrode around the linear electrode, and a control device for controlling the power feed to the linear electrode. The control device has a field probe for measuring the electric field in the internal space, and a bandpass filter for filtering the measurement signal into a predetermined frequency band to output an AC signal, a variable phase shifter for shifting the phase of the AC signal so that the AC signal is synchronized with the resonance signal in the internal space when the AC signal is supplied to the linear electrode as a current, and an amplifier for amplifying the AC signal of which the phase is shifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriaki Kimura