Electrostatic Field Or Electrical Discharge Patents (Class 422/186.04)
  • Patent number: 8337765
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to electrocatalytically induce the decomposition of a liquid propellant for propulsion. This is accomplished by providing a reaction chamber filled with catalyst that has a first electrode, such as near the center, and the other electrode disposed away from the first electrode. A charge source that is capable of applying voltage is connected to the electrodes. When the reaction chamber is dosed with a propellant such as an aqueous based amine propellant, such as HAN, an electric current flows between the electrodes and the propellant. This initiates the decomposition of the propellant which is driven to completion by the catalyst bed in order to be used for power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tihomir G. Tonev, Mark Kaiser, Gary Seminara
  • Publication number: 20120321523
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device for a diesel engine 1, in which fuel is injected prior to a compression upper dead center and is ignited and burned after accelerated premixing of the fuel, is provided with a plasma fuel reformer 17 which produces H2-containing reformed gas through plasma discharge using the fuel F as a starting material and supplies the reformed gas through an intake manifold 6 into cylinders 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Shimoda
  • Publication number: 20120315194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas processing unit adapted for generating a surface plasma in the vicinity of a photocatalyst, that has a planar configuration. The photocatalyst is deposited in the form of a thin layer on a dielectric substrate and at least one plasma supply electrode is formed above the photocatalyst thin layer. Such a configuration increases the interaction between the plasma and the photocatalyst. The unit can be used for a gas processing of the pollution-control, odour reduction or bactericidal treatment type with a high efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique-CRNS-, Ecole Polytechnique
    Inventors: Antoine Rousseau, Katia Allegraud, Olivier Guaitella
  • Publication number: 20120297673
    Abstract: A system for creating a nitrate combined with a liquid. A corona discharge cell to generate an electrical field. The corona discharge cell further comprising a conduit to pass air through the electrical field to produce nitric oxide NO, wherein the air comprises a mixture of at least nitrogen N2 and oxygen O2, the conduit for combining the nitric oxide NO with the oxygen O2 to form nitrogen dioxide NO2. The corona discharge cell further comprising an injector for combining the nitrogen dioxide NO2 with the liquid to generate nitric acid HNO3 which combines with the liquid to generate the nitrate comprised of nitrate radical NO3 mixed with the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Russell J. Keller
  • Patent number: 8297045
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treating apparatus includes an adsorption tower (20) that has an adsorption layer filled with an adsorbent and a heat transfer path through which heat is transferred to the adsorption layer. The apparatus performs switching among the following processes: an adsorption process of introducing an exhaust gas from an engine (10) into the adsorption layer of the adsorption tower so that target components to be treated, including NOX, in the exhaust gas are adsorbed by the adsorbent; a desorption process of introducing the exhaust gas into the heat transfer path of the adsorption tower to heat the adsorption layer and introducing a desorption gas into the heated adsorption layer so that the target components are desorbed from the adsorbent, and a cooling process of introducing a cooling gas into the adsorption layer of the adsorption tower to cool the adsorption layer and introducing the cooling gas that has passed through the adsorption layer into an inlet of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Osaka Prefecture University Public Corporation, Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Keiichiro Yoshida, Masaaki Okubo
  • Patent number: 8293184
    Abstract: A falling film plasma reactor (FFPR) provides a number of benefits for the treatment of process gases. The falling film plasma reactor uses high voltage alternating current or pulsed direct current which is applied to radially separated electrodes to thereby create a dielectric breakdown of the process gas that is flowing within the large radial gap between the two electrodes. Typical plasma reactors often utilize fixed dielectric construction which can result in potential failure of the device by arcing between the electrodes as portions of the dielectric fail. Such failures are prevented by using a dielectric liquid that constantly flows over the electrodes, or over a fixed dielectric barrier over the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Safe Area Systems LLC
    Inventor: Robert R. Moore
  • Patent number: 8288164
    Abstract: The present invention provides a highly reliable reaction cuvette in which air bubbles are adhered little and mutual contamination can be prevented among samples and reagents in adjoining reaction cuvettes, a method of surface treatment for a reaction cuvette, and an automatic analyzer with the reaction cuvette mounted therein. The reaction cuvette according to the present invention, in which a sample and a reagent are mixed with each other and its concentration is measured, has an area subjected to hydrophilic treatment by electric discharging on inner and outer surfaces of the reaction cuvette. Further the reaction cuvette has a container-like form with its upper portion opened to provide an opening and its lower portion closed to provide a bottom. The hydrophilic area is present from a bottom of the reaction cuvette up to a midway to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mishima, Hiroaki Ishizawa, Masashi Endo
  • Publication number: 20120258016
    Abstract: There is provided an ignition or plasma generation apparatus that eliminates the need for resonance means in a combustion chamber and simplifies the electrode structure within the combustion chamber in an instance where energy from each of a spark discharge and microwaves is used to ignite an air-fuel mixture gas in an internal combustion engine. The ignition or plasma generation apparatus includes a mixing circuit for mixing a high-voltage pulse from a high-voltage pulse generator and microwave energy from a microwave generator; and an ignition plug into which an output from the mixing circuit is supplied, the plug used for introducing the output into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The output supplied from the mixing circuit to the ignition plug is supplied in a manner in which the microwave energy and the high-voltage pulse are superimposed on each other on a same transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: IMAGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Minoru Makita, Yuji Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20120251710
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of producing high purity SiOx nanoparticles with excellent volatility and an apparatus for producing the same, which enables mass production of SiOx nanoparticles by melting silicon through induction heating and injecting gas to a surface of the molten silicon. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a graphite crucible into which raw silicon is charged, the graphite crucible being mounted inside the vacuum chamber, an induction melting part which forms molten silicon by induction heating of the silicon material received in the graphite crucible, a gas injector which injects a gas into the graphite crucible to be brought into direct contact with a surface of the molten silicon, and a collector disposed above the graphite crucible and collecting SiOx vapor produced by reaction between the molten silicon and the injected gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Bo-Yun JANG, Jin-Seok LEE, Joon-Soo KIM
  • Patent number: 8272206
    Abstract: A reduction system for particulate materials in exhaust gas, which is connected to a tailpipe of an engine that burns a hydrocarbon-based fuel supplied from a fuel storage tank, and collects and removes particulate materials within the exhaust gas, may include a plasma reactor having a gas inlet and an outlet, and a DPF (diesel particulate filter) trap having a filter. The tailpipe of the engine may communicate with the gas inlet of the plasma reactor, and the outlet of the plasma reactor may communicate with the DPF trap. The exhaust gas exhausted from the engine may be transferred to the DPF trap after being heated while passing through the plasma reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Dae-hoon Lee, Kwan-tae Kim, Young-hoon Song, Min-suk Cha, Jae-ok Lee
  • Publication number: 20120235087
    Abstract: The proposed invention relates to a method and a system for the removal of heat stable amine salts from an amine absorbent used in a carbon dioxide (CO2) capture process, the method comprising: withdrawing amine absorbent containing heat stable amine salts from the CO2 capture process; subjecting the withdrawn amine absorbent containing heat stable amine salts to a residual CO2 removal step; subjecting the amine absorbent from the residual CO2 removal step to a separation step to separate heat stable amine salts from the amine absorbent; and returning the amine absorbent having a reduced concentration of heat stable amine salts to the CO2 capture process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicants: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Nareshkumar B. HANDAGAMA, Barath BABURAO, Frederic VITSE, Stephen A. BEDELL, Jonathan W. LEISTER, Ross DUGAS
  • Patent number: 8268094
    Abstract: A gas injector including in which a gas is passed through high-voltage/low-current electrical discharges before being discharged into the chamber of a thermal treatment furnace. The electrical activation of the gas accelerates desirable reactions between the gas, gases in the furnace chamber, and the chamber workload. Preferably, a hot electrode is electrically charged and the other parts of the gas injector and the furnace are grounded. Also provided is a method for activating an atmosphere within the reaction chamber of a controlled-atmosphere reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Zbigniew Zurecki, Robert Ellsworth Knorr, Jr., John Lewis Green
  • Patent number: 8263004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of deactivating an antigenic substance by causing positive and negative ions to act on the antigenic substance, and the positive and negative ions are caused to act in an atmosphere in which each of positive ion concentration and negative ion concentration is at least about 50,000/cm3, and more preferably, at least about 100,000/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Nishikawa, Hideo Nojima, Tetsuya Yoneda, Kazuhisa Ono, Seiko Shigeta, Masatoshi Oshita
  • Patent number: 8263011
    Abstract: Reactor 1A includes a reaction vessel 10 having an inlet 4 for a to-be-reformed gas 2 and an outlet 8 for a reformed gas 6, a pair of electrodes 12 for plasma generation, a power source 14 for applying a voltage to the pair of electrodes 12, and a catalyst for promoting a reforming reaction, wherein one of the pair of electrodes 12 is a linear electrode 32, the other of the pair of electrodes 12 is a honeycomb electrode 34 made of a conductive ceramics, and the catalyst is loaded on the partition walls of the honeycomb electrode 34, which reactor further includes shielding members 30A placed between the linear electrode 32 and the honeycomb electrode 34, which are protruded toward the gas-introducing end face side of the honeycomb electrode 34 and prevent the inflow of the to-be-reformed gas 2 passing through a zone other than a plasma-generating zone 42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizuno, Michio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8263012
    Abstract: A gas treatment system for treating a gas stream containing contaminants includes first and second gas treatment members in fluid communication with each other. Each of the first and second gas treatment members is selectively controllable between an on and an off condition. A third gas treatment member is in fluid communication with the first and second gas treatment members, and the third gas treatment member selectively retains or releases the contaminants based upon the on or off condition of at least one of the first or second gas treatment members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen O Hay, Susan D. Brandes, Norberto O. Lemcoff, Timothy N. Obee, Wayde R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120223271
    Abstract: Methods for releasing associated guest materials from a metal organic framework are provided. Methods for associating guest materials with a metal organic framework are also provided. Methods are provided for selectively associating or dissociating guest materials with a metal organic framework. Systems for associating or dissociating guest materials within a series of metal organic frameworks are provided. Thermal energy transfer assemblies are provided. Methods for transferring thermal energy are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: B. Peter McGrail, Daryl R. Brown, Praveen K. Thallapally
  • Publication number: 20120220046
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus for forming the doped cryo-biology specimen of electron microscope. The invention applies rapid cryogenic freezing to the biology specimen, and dopes certain concentration of protons and electrons into the cryo-biology specimen for conducting the observation using electron microscope. The invention reduces the radiation damage of cryogenic biology specimen and amorphous ice caused by the electron radiation, and observes the prototype of biomolecules and biomaterials clearly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Chih-Yu Chao
  • Publication number: 20120207665
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating a gas stream comprising NOx are disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the gas stream comprising NOx is reacted with ozone to form oxidation products including nitrogen sesquioxide and nitrogen pentoxide. At least a portion of the nitrogen sesquioxide and nitrogen pentoxide is reacted with water to form nitric acid, and a solubilized form of the nitric acid is collected and may be reused or otherwise utilized. Systems for conducting the method also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Moore
  • Patent number: 8241580
    Abstract: This invention concerns with the plasma inactivating method and processor that can inactivate the surface of the object without causing the degradation inside of it. The inactivation of toxins on the surface of the object proceeds as removing the toxins by nitriding or oxidizing the toxins by the following triple effects, the sharp pulsed electric field by the supply of the electric pulses, the generated N-radicals (N*) contained inside of the plasma in the surrounding gases composed mainly by N2 gas under the low pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naohiro Shimizu, Yuichiro Imanishi
  • Patent number: 8236144
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described comprising of a plurality of electromagnetic resonant structures coupled to a common process or reaction volume, such that resonance of each structure is maintained while the process or reaction volume is a part of each resonant structure. At the same time, each resonant structure is matched to its respective electromagnetic generator. Such a system allows each generator and its delivery system to run at rated power, with summation of all the powers occurring in the common process or reaction volume. In various embodiments of this invention, the various electromagnetic generators can run at the same or different frequencies. The various resonant structures can be single mode or multimode, or a mixture of single mode and multi mode. The various resonant structures can be arranged spatially in order to couple several structures to the process or reaction volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: RF Thummim Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vassilli P. Proudkii, Kirk McNeil, Joe Michael Yarborough
  • Publication number: 20120195804
    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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen LANG, Rainer NICOLAI, Hartwig RAULEDER
  • Publication number: 20120195820
    Abstract: A method of producing carbon nanotubes, comprising, in a reaction chamber: evaporating at least a partially melted electrode comprising a catalyst by an electrical arc discharge; condensing the evaporated catalyst vapors to form nanoparticles comprising the catalyst; and decomposing gaseous hydrocarbons in the presence of the nanoparticles to form carbon nanotubes on the surface of the nanoparticles. Also a system for producing carbon nanotubes, comprising: a reactor comprising two electrodes, wherein at least one of the electrodes is at least a partially melted electrode comprising a catalyst, the reactor adapted for evaporating the at least partially melted electrode by an electrical arc discharge and for condensing its vapors to form nanoparticles comprising the catalyst, wherein the electrodes are disposed in a reaction chamber for decomposing gaseous hydrocarbons in the presence of the nanoparticles to form carbon nanotubes on the surface of the nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MCD TECHNOLOGIES S.A R.L.
    Inventors: Mikhail Rudolfovich Predtechensky, Oleg Mikhailovich Tukhto, Ilya Yurievich Koval
  • Publication number: 20120193215
    Abstract: Treating a synthesis gas includes generating a plasma jet from a non-transferred arc torch having a main axis, the jet having a propagation axis substantially collinear with the torch main axis. The plasma torch is mounted on a feed enclosure. The syngas is received at an inlet port of the feed enclosure, downstream from the plasma torch and feeding the syngas so the flow encounters the plasma jet to mix the syngas and plasma jet in a distribution chamber. The mixture is propagated in a reactor downstream from the feed enclosure to convert the syngas into an outlet gas. The reactor is in communication in its upstream portion with the feed enclosure through a flared segment, and has a longitudinal axis that is substantially collinear with the propagation axis of the plasma jet. The outlet gas is extracted via an outlet port and particles are captured by a submerged conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Europlasma
    Inventors: Alice Fourcault, Jean-Paul Robert-Arnouil, Erika Edme
  • Patent number: 8226901
    Abstract: There is provided an ignition or plasma generation apparatus that eliminates the need for resonance means in a combustion chamber and simplifies the electrode structure within the combustion chamber in an instance where energy from each of a spark discharge and microwaves is used to ignite an air-fuel mixture gas in an internal combustion engine. The ignition or plasma generation apparatus includes a mixing circuit for mixing a high-voltage pulse from a high-voltage pulse generator and microwave energy from a microwave generator; and an ignition plug into which an output from the mixing circuit is supplied, the plug used for introducing the output into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The output supplied from the mixing circuit to the ignition plug is supplied in a manner in which the microwave energy and the high-voltage pulse are superimposed on each other on a same transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Imagineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Makita, Yuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8226899
    Abstract: An in-duct apparatus for sanitizing air includes a reaction unit, configured to be mounted in an air duct, for generating reactive oxygen species from oxygen in air received in the reaction unit to be sanitized. Airborne contaminants in the received air are substantially neutralized by the generated reactive oxygen species before the air is discharged from the reaction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Terrance O. Woodbridge
  • Publication number: 20120181164
    Abstract: The silicon purification method uses a silicon purification device including at least a crucible for loading a silicon metal and a plasma torch, and purifies the silicon metal by injecting a plasma gas from the plasma torch toward a melt surface of the silicon metal loaded in the crucible in a state where an angle formed by the melt surface and the plasma gas is set in the range of 20° to 80°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ULVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Yasuo Ookubo, Hiroshi Nagata
  • Patent number: 8221679
    Abstract: A free radical decontamination method and system. The system is comprised of a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating free radical reach effluent from a free radical electric generator and hydrogen peroxide solution with water. A closed loop circulating system is provided for supplying the mixture of free radicals from the electric generator mixed with the hydrogen peroxide solution in the form of the effluent to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Czeslaw Golkowski
  • Publication number: 20120177542
    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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Chang, Kun-Ping Huang, Yu-Tse Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8216433
    Abstract: A plasma generator in which the variation of the impedance in the cavity before and after plasma is ignited is less and hardly affected by the shape of the cavity, and the ignitability of the plasma is improved and a method of generating plasma using the plasma generator are provided. The plasma generator comprises a nonconductive gas flow pipe (1) for introducing a gas (9) for generating plasma and discharging it into the atmosphere and a conductive antenna pipe (2) surrounding the gas flow pipe. A microwave (7) is applied to the antenna pipe to change the gas in the gas flow pipe into plasma. The plasma generator is characterized in that a slit (3) with a predetermined length is formed in the antenna pipe (2) along the axial direction of the gas flow pipe. Preferably, the plasma generator is characterized in that the length of the slit is an integral multiple of the half-wave length of the applied microwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: University of the Ryukyus
    Inventor: Akira Yonesu
  • Publication number: 20120164033
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing silane that use electrolysis to regenerate reactive components therein are disclosed. The methods and systems may be substantially closed-loop with respect to halogen, an alkali or alkaline earth metal and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: MEMC ELECTRONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Puneet Gupta, Henry F. Erk, Alexis Grabbe
  • Publication number: 20120138450
    Abstract: A coil assembly includes an encapsulation structure having a coil placement region formed therein. One or more access ports are formed through the encapsulation structure to the coil placement region. The coil placement region is hermetically sealed by the encapsulation structure outside of the one or more access ports. A coil device is disposed within the coil placement region within the encapsulation structure. Terminals of the coil device are accessible through the one or more access ports formed through the encapsulation structure. The encapsulation structure is formed of a material suitable for exposure to a plasma. The coil assembly can be disposed inside of a plasma processing chamber and above a support structure, such that the coil assembly is in exposure to a plasma generated between the coil assembly and the support structure by radiofrequency power supplied to the coil device within the coil assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Davis
  • Publication number: 20120141332
    Abstract: A vortex reactor is provided. The vortex reactor includes a substantially cylindrical shaped portion forming a reaction chamber therein, wherein said substantially cylindrical shaped portion forms a first charged electrode; a circumferential flow apparatus fluidly connected to the reaction chamber for creating a circumferential fluid flow; a second charged electrode; and an outlet for releasing said circumferential fluid flow. Also provided are methods of processing particulate solids using the vortex reactor of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: ALEXANDER FRIDMAN, ALEXANDER F. GUTSOL, YOUNG I. CHO, LAWRENCE KENNEDY, ALEXEI SAVELIEV, ANDREY ROMANETS, IGOR MARTVEEV, KENNETH BLANK
  • Patent number: 8187368
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low power consumption desorption apparatus, which utilizes a pair of electrodes coupled to an absorbing material to provide an electric current flowing through the absorbing material so as to desorb the substances absorbed within the absorbing material. By means of the desorption apparatus of the present invention, the absorbing material is able to enhance the desorbing efficiency and reducing power consumption during desorption. The present invention further provides a dehumidifier using the low power consumption desorption apparatus for providing a continuous dry air flow to desorb and regenerate the moisture from the absorbing material so that the dehumidifier is capable of removing moisture in the air repeatedly to reduce the humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Shiann Shih, Yu-Li Lin, Jau-Chyn Huang, Ting-Wei Huang, Yen-Hsun Chi, Yo-Ming Chang, Ming-Shan Jeng, Ya-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 8178341
    Abstract: A system for exposing a target material to small particles. The system includes an exposure chamber that receives the target material. A stream of charged particles is directed via an inlet into the exposure chamber toward the target material. One or more electrodes are located relative to the target material and the inlet, and are electrically charged, so as to cause at least some of the charged particles to impact upon the target material. The system can be used to expose the target material to small, for example, nanoscale, particles in a gas environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College
    Inventor: Giuseppe A. Petrucci
  • Patent number: 8173075
    Abstract: The invention is a method and system for the generation of high voltage, pulsed, periodic corona discharges capable of being used in the presence of conductive liquid droplets. The method and system can be used, for example, in different devices for cleaning of gaseous or liquid media using pulsed corona discharge. Specially designed electrodes and an inductor increase the efficiency of the system, permit the plasma chemical oxidation of detrimental impurities, and increase the range of stable discharge operations in the presence of droplets of water or other conductive liquids in the discharge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: Alexander F. Gutsol, Alexander Fridman, Kenneth Blank, Sergey Korobtsev, Valery Shiryaevsky, Dmitry Medvedev
  • Patent number: 8168129
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are for disinfection and purification of a liquid, gaseous or solid phase, or a mixture thereof. The apparatus includes: a central electrode, a dielectric layer adjacent to the electrode, a first area adjacent to the dielectric layer, and is configured to introduce a first medium into the first area, a second area adjacent to the first area. The apparatus is also configured to introduce a second medium into the second area, and for creating a plasma in the first medium, while the first medium is present in the first area, by applying a voltage between the first electrode and a second electrode. An injector injects the plasma into the second area, in order to be mixed with the second medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek (Vito)
    Inventors: Dirk Vangeneugden, Robby Jozef Martin Rego, Danny Havermans, Herman Blok
  • Patent number: 8168130
    Abstract: A method and system for surely and conveniently generating plasma in a narrow tube having a small diameter. A first electrode formed by a conductive member covered with an insulator or dielectric is inserted into a narrow tube. The narrow tube is located on a second electrode. A power supply applies an alternating voltage or pulse voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode so that plasma is generated in the narrow tube around the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Advanced Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Sato, Tatsuyuki Nakatani, Tatsuo Kimura
  • Patent number: 8168128
    Abstract: A plasma reactor (10) comprises a microwave resonant cavity (12) having a gas inlet (18) and a gas outlet (20), a waveguide (14) for conveying microwave radiation to the resonant cavity, and a plasma torch (40) for injecting into the resonant cavity a plasma stream containing ions for reacting with a gas flowing from the gas inlet (18) to the gas outlet (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Andrew James Seeley, Marilena Radoiu
  • Publication number: 20120090985
    Abstract: A reactor for dissociating carbon dioxide, 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. A diaphragm may be used at the output of the reactor to control the vortex flow pattern. In some examples, the reactor may be configured to have varying upper and lower chamber sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: ALEXANDER RABINOVICH, Thomas Nunnally, Alexander Fridman, Alexander F. Gutsol
  • Publication number: 20120093687
    Abstract: An apparatus for sterilising a packaged product (16) such as food or drink comprises a pair of gas filled electrodes (1, 2) connected to a power supply (18) for generating a high voltage pulses between the electrodes (1, 2) sufficient to ionise the gas therein and to create a high electromagnetic field therebetween. A reflector (7) is provided for directing the generated field towards the package (16), such that the electromagnetic field penetrates through the wall of the package (16) and forms cold plasma from the trapped air inside the package (16). This cold plasma comprises ozone and other reactive oxygen based species which have a high oxidising potential and kill all micro organisms in contact with the ozone and reactive species resulting in the disinfection of the product as well as the interior of the sealed package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Malcom Robert Snowball
  • Publication number: 20120090984
    Abstract: A method for purifying a silicon-based load to obtain extra-pure silicon, includes: a) directing a plasma jet from an initial non-transferred arc torch onto a solid wall of a volume having an outlet to generate a homogeneous plasma flow, b) continuously injecting a silicon-based load having particles and/or grains, or crushed, into the homogeneous plasma flow to obtain an assembly, c) continuously directing the assembly from the outlet towards a melting pot having heating elements and stirring the crushed load into a molten state, d) once the entire crushed load has been injected and a molten bath formed inside the melting pot, directing the plasma jet from at least a second non-transferred arc torch onto the surface of the bath, e) removing the slag on the surface of the bath, and possibly repeating steps d) and e) to volatilize some of the bath impurities brought to the surface due to stirring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: SILIMELT
    Inventor: Maxime Labrot
  • Publication number: 20120087841
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container (1) with at least three reaction spaces (2) which in each case have at least one electrode pair for applying an electric voltage for generating an electric field within the reaction space (2) and which are arranged geometrically in at least one row and/or electrically connected in at least one row, wherein at least one electrode (3, 4) of a reaction space (2) is a common electrode (3, 4) with at least one other reaction space (2). According to the invention n+x electrodes (3, 4, 5) are provided, wherein n is the number of reaction spaces (2), with n?3 and x is the number of rows, with x?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: LONZA COLOGNE GMBH
    Inventors: Ludger Altrogge, Timo Gleissner, Andreas Heinze, Herbert Mueller-Hartmann, Andreas Wirth
  • Publication number: 20120085636
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system or method of increased efficiency in carbon nanomaterial synthesis. In one embodiment, a system or method of automated collection of deposited carbon nanomaterial is disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a method of automated collection of deposited nanomaterial may comprise using cleaner blades to clean the wall of a deposition chamber and the surface of a central body where carbon nanomaterial has been deposited. The method of automated carbon nanomaterial collection may be used in connection with a method of carbon nanomaterial synthesis, to create a more efficient synthesis process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: King Abdulaziz City Science and Technology
    Inventors: Turki Saud Mohammed Al-Saud, Mohammed A. Bin Hussain, Siarhei Alexandrovich Zhdanok, Andrei Vladimirovich Krauklis, Petr Petrovich Samtsou, Anatolij Ivanovich Loznikov
  • Publication number: 20120083538
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of synthetic motor fuels and additives to oil fuels, C1-C4 alcohols, hydrogen, methane, synthesized gas (H2+CO2) by hydrothermal treatment of carbonaceous compounds by providing a two-stage carbon gasification process operated under the supercritical conditions of H2O and CO2, including a first stage gasification reactor having a reaction zone for the conversion of carbonaceous compounds and a second stage reactor for the conversion of the products of the first stage reactor; feeding a aqueous suspension of carbonaceous compound in an amount of at least 30% by weight and an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal catalyst or reactive OH— species from an electrolyzer through said first stage gasification reactor as a supercritical fluid at a volume velocity of 0.01-0.05 g of carbon per 1 cm3 per hour, at a carbon/catalyst mole ratio of between about 70/1 and 90/1, at a temperature of 390-450° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: AMEROL ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Valerii Kukhar, Valeriy Bortyshevskyy, Nataliia Khimach, Viktor Burdeynyy, Rayisa Korzh, Svitlana Melnykova, Dmytro Kamens'kyh
  • Patent number: 8147765
    Abstract: A novel process and apparatus is disclosed for sustainable, continuous production of hydrogen and carbon by catalytic dissociation or decomposition of hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures using in-situ generated carbon particles. Carbon particles are produced by decomposition of carbonaceous materials in response to an energy input. The energy input can be provided by at least one of a non-oxidative and oxidative means. The non-oxidative means of the energy input includes a high temperature source, or different types of plasma, such as, thermal, non-thermal, microwave, corona discharge, glow discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, or radiation sources, such as, electron beam, gamma, ultraviolet (UV). The oxidative means of the energy input includes oxygen, air, ozone, nitrous oxide (NO2) and other oxidizing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Nazim Z. Muradov, Franklyn Smith, Ali Tabatabaie-Raissi
  • Patent number: 8142619
    Abstract: A constricting chamber having first and second ends, the chamber comprising: an interior surface formed between the first and second ends, disposed circumferentially around and defining an interior space and a longitudinal axis of the chamber; a frusto-conical surface disposed between the first and second ends and narrowing as it extends away from the first end and into the second end; an ejection port disposed at the second end and substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis; a cover disposed at the first end, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and comprising a center substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis; an injection port disposed on the cover proximate the center, and configured to receive a reactive mixture into the chamber; and an annular supply portion disposed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis and comprising supply port(s) configured to supply conditioning fluid into the chamber in an annular formation along the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: SDC Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Layman, Maximilian A. Biberger
  • Publication number: 20120070347
    Abstract: A Carbon Conversion System having four functional units, each unit comprising one or more zones, wherein the units are integrated to optimize the overall conversion of carbonaceous feedstock into syngas and slag. The processes that occur within each zone of the system can be optimized, for example, by the configuration of each of the units and by managing the conditions that occur within each zone using an integrated control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Plasco Energy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Bacon, Andreas Tsangaris
  • Publication number: 20120058021
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Michael A. Centanni, Thaddeus J. Mielnik
  • Patent number: 8128869
    Abstract: An air sanitization system including a reactive oxygen species generator, a variable speed fan, a pathogen sensor and a controller. The reactive oxygen species generator generates reactive oxygen species from an oxygen-containing gas and discharges the reactive oxygen species to a conditioned space. The variable speed fan directs the oxygen-containing gas to the reactive oxygen species generator at a controlled speed. The pathogen sensor senses a level of airborne pathogens in the conditioned space and generates a signal indicative of the level of pathogens sensed. The controller receives the signal from the pathogen sensor and varies the speed of the variable speed fan in response to the signal to decrease a speed of the variable speed fan in response to an increase in the level of airborne pathogens sensed by the pathogen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Ted Wayne Sunderland
  • Patent number: 8128883
    Abstract: A thermoelectric reformer unit-for dissociating fossil-based hydrocarbons, renewable hydrocarbons or hydrogen-containing inorganic compounds to produce hydrogen in a reactor using thermoelectric technology with thermoelectric materials to achieve very high conversion efficiencies. Thermoelectric reforming occurs in a reactor core containing a number of energy sources. These energy sources generate extremely high temperature heat that reacts with the fuels in its local surrounding areas. Since the heat is locally generated, it will not penetrate far within the reactor core that is surrounded by walls that act as a casing for the reformer. Synthetic gas produced in the reformer can be fed into internal combustion engines certain, types of fuel cells, or other energy conversion equipment without or with only limited levels of purification. Ancillary components are needed to produce high-purity hydrogen fuel for other types of fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Chi S. Wang