JP2014532265A - Plasma generation method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for generating a flame from a liquid containing water as a main component, on which a base unit and a tip unit, and a spiral groove that turns counterclockwise from the base unit toward the tip unit are formed. A cathode having a portion; gas supply means for the cathode, wherein the spiral groove follows the outer peripheral portion formed on the cathode, and flows in a gas state so as to flow in a direction from the base unit toward the tip unit. Gas supply means, and a surface disposed opposite to the cathode tip, and an electric potential between the surface and the cathode tip is determined by a potential difference applied between the surface and the cathode. Said anode comprising generating an electrical discharge, thereby igniting a gas flowing from the base to the tip, and at the same time releasing a flame by ignition through the through-hole. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates generally to the design of plasma generation systems and methods, and more specifically to an apparatus for generating a flame from a liquid containing water as a main component and a method for generating a plasma from the liquid. .

For various applications such as welding, melting and sublimation (vaporization) of tungsten, usually with a mixture of hydrogen (H ₂ ) and oxygen (O ₂ ) in a molar ratio of 2: 1 which is the same ratio as for water. The use of certain oxyhydrogens (sometimes called Brown's Gas after its inventor, Yull Brown) is well known in the art. Brown gas involves the process of producing the “gas” described above from normal water. This “gas” is a completely safe stoichiometry with the unique property that the flame is not a series of explosions (as is the case with a normal flame) but a series of implosions. Hydrogen and oxygen. Thus, theoretically, the flame may not have a temperature limit. For example, when in contact only with ambient air, the flame has been measured to have a temperature of 264-269 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when this flame is applied to tungsten wire, its temperature has been measured to be approximately 6000 degrees Celsius.

  Also well known in the art is the use of plasma treatment for applications such as cutting and welding. US Pat. No. 5,609,777 discloses an example of an electric-arc plasma steam torch that uses steam as a working medium.

US Pat. No. 5,609,777

  However, in addition to the industrial uses described above, for many other applications, such as power generation, to date there has been no technology for safely and simply generating a flame from normal water or water mixtures. In particular, no development has been made to generate plasma for various applications, such as in the industrial uses described above, or for the treatment of radioactive waste, using normal water and normal materials efficiently and simply. Regarding extremely high temperatures, there is no development in thermionic energy conversion technology that generates electricity from ordinary water.

  In thermionic energy conversion, the hot electrode emits electrons thermoionically to the colder electrode beyond the potential energy barrier. That is, electrons are emitted from the material at high temperatures to generate power directly from heat. One of the challenges facing thermionic conversion technology is the significantly higher temperatures required to overcome the barrier (work function) that limits the electron emission current. Therefore, thermionic reactors have so far been used primarily for power generation in space.

  In its preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a novel apparatus and method for generating a flame or plasma from a water-based liquid and achieving this in a highly simple and safe manner. In addition, this apparatus and method requires the use of inexpensive conventional materials, relatively low electrical energy input, and causes little environmental damage. Further, plasma (flame) generation may be achieved using natural features of fundamental particles to function as a plasma generation method and system. This energy generation may also be used for thermionic energy conversion to generate power cheaply and safely in a safe and simple manner.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for generating a flame from a liquid containing water as a main component is a cathode having a base and a tip, and an outer peripheral portion extending between the base and the tip. The cathode, and a gas supply means related to the cathode, wherein a spiral groove is formed on the outer periphery, the spiral groove swirling counterclockwise from the base to the tip. The gas supply means for supplying the liquid in a gas state flowing in a direction from the base portion toward the tip portion, following the outer peripheral portion on which the spiral groove is formed, and one surface and the other An anode having a surface, wherein the one surface is disposed facing the tip portion of the cathode, and due to a potential difference applied between the anode and the cathode, the one surface and the surface In front of the cathode An electric discharge is generated between the tip portions, and the electric discharge ignites the gas flowing from the base portion to the tip portion following the outer peripheral portion on which the spiral groove is formed, and at the same time, The apparatus is provided including the anode having a through hole for discharging a flame generated by ignition to the other surface side.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, in a plasma generation method using an apparatus for generating plasma from a liquid containing water as a main component, the apparatus has a base portion and a tip portion, and the base portion and the tip portion. An outer peripheral portion extending between the cathode, the cathode having the outer peripheral portion, and a first surface and another surface formed on the spiral groove that is pivoted counterclockwise from the base portion to the distal end portion. The anode has an anode disposed so as to face the tip of the cathode and has a through-hole penetrating from the one surface to the other surface. And (1) generating an electrical discharge between the cathode tip and the anode due to a difference in potential applied between the cathode and the anode, and (2) the spiral groove Supplying the liquid in a gaseous state onto the outer peripheral portion of the cathode so as to follow the outer peripheral portion formed on the base and flow in a direction from the base portion toward the distal end portion; and (3) Following the outer periphery of the cathode, the gas flowing in the direction from the base toward the tip is passed around the cathode through a spiral groove formed on the outer periphery of the cathode. Rotate counterclockwise from the base toward the tip, then turn the gas into a plasma by an electrical discharge between the tip of the cathode and the anode and pass this plasma through the through hole. And discharging to the other surface side of the anode.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an apparatus for generating a flame (plasma) from a liquid that embodies the principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged side sectional view of the flame discharge part of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 2 with the cathode in the initial adjacent position with the tip unit. FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 2 with the cathode and tip unit in spaced positions where the electrical discharge is stabilized. 5A-5E are elevational views of the top, left side, bottom, right side, front and rear of the cathode of the present invention, respectively. 6 is a perspective view from the left / rear / upper side of the cathode shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the cathode shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the thermal ion converter.

  In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings. 1 to 7 relate to one aspect of the present invention, and referring generally to FIG. 1, a device 1 for generating a flame from a liquid contains a tip unit 2 and a liquid holding region 4 for containing a working liquid. A base unit 3, which is a cylindrical chamber. The device 1 is connected via a cable to a power block (not shown) having an on / off mode switch and an operating mode switch, and a digital voltage indicator, said block being connected to a standard electrical outlet. Yes. The region 4 may be filled with a liquid absorbent material 5 such as glass wool or the like. The liquid is typically water and can be a variety of mixtures including, but not limited to, water and alcohol mixtures. According to the prospects of the present invention, certain solids may be used as such working substances.

  Inside the base unit 3, an electrical insulation tube 6 made of quartz or other electrical insulation material generally known in the art is coaxially disposed. In the present exemplary embodiment, a PYREX® tube or similar glass product known in the art is used as the electrical insulation tube 6. Inside the tube 6 is disposed a rod-shaped cathode holder 7 which is arranged so as to be movable in the axial direction inside the tube 6 by either a step type or a non-step type.

  At the tip unit end 7 a of the cathode holder 7, the cathode 8 is attached to the tip unit end 7 a of the cathode holder 7 through screws and threads or other removable means. The opposite end of the cathode holder 7 extends through a suitable opening in the outward direction of the base unit 3 so that the user can easily grip the cathode holder 7 and the cathode 8 inside the electrically insulated tube 6 and A boss or knob is arranged at the protruding tip so that it can be moved in the direction.

  As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the cathode 8 extends from the base unit 3 toward the tip unit 2 and includes a cylindrical outer peripheral portion 9. As shown in various elevational views and perspective views of FIGS. 5A to 5E and FIG. 6, the outer peripheral portion 9 has a base unit 3 side in the direction from the base unit 3 to the tip unit 2 on its outer surface. When viewed from, a spiral groove 10 is formed that pivots counterclockwise.

  In this embodiment, the helical groove 10 extends in a helical shape along the outer surface of the outer peripheral portion 9 and is wound around the central longitudinal axis X of the cathode 8 as shown in FIG. 5A. To further illustrate the possible design of the helical groove 10, assume tangents D, D 'to the points P, P' along the helical curve of the helical groove 10, as shown in FIG. can do. Further, a surface line S that runs in a direction parallel to the central axis X that intersects the tangent lines D and D ′ at the points P and P ′ may be assumed. In the present invention, the obtuse angle A formed between the tangent lines D and D 'and the surface line S is preferably 100 degrees or more and 135 degrees or less, more preferably 100 degrees or more and 130 degrees or less. In the present invention, it may be preferred that this angle A is generally equal to at least one bond angle of the molecules constituting the liquid in the liquid holding region 4. However, other modifications and variations that would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

  As shown in detail in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, the outer peripheral portion 9 of the cathode 8 is made of copper and includes a core T. The core T is a group consisting of tungsten, hafnium, thorium, and lanthanum. These chemical compounds are disposed on the tip unit side 8a of the cathode. It should be understood that other suitable metallic materials known in the art may be used for the cathode 8. Referring to FIG. 2, the cathode is arranged such that the base unit side 8b of the cathode 8 is inserted into the tip unit end 6a of the electrical insulating tube 6, and the outer peripheral portion 9 of the base unit side 8b of the cathode 8 is connected to the electrical insulating tube. 6 to face the inner surface of the tip unit end 6a. As an example, the cathode 8 of this embodiment is disposed so that at least 50% of the outer length range of the outer peripheral portion 9 faces the inner surface of the electrical insulating tube 6.

  The tip unit 2 of the device 1 has an inner surface 12 that is coaxially disposed with the cathode holder 7 and the cathode 8 and that faces the tip 13 of the cathode 8 and forms a discharge enclosure 11a. A dome-shaped anode 11 is disposed, and the discharge enclosure 11a communicates with a through hole 14 located in the center of the anode 11 and passes through the through hole 14 to transmit a flame to the anode outer surface 15 side. Can be released toward. The anode 11 may be made of copper and supplied with a voltage from the power supply block so that a potential difference can be applied between the inner surface 12 and the cathode tip 13.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, the majority of the outer length of the electrically insulating tube 6 is further surrounded by a thermally conductive tube 16 made of a material that is suitably thermally conductive, this thermal conductivity. The tube 16 extends through the liquid holding region 4 described above and is in contact with the liquid absorbent material 5. The liquid holding area 4 has a hole that can be closed by a plug 17 to allow the liquid holding area 4 to be filled with the working liquid from the outside of the device 1. Is absorbed and stored in it. The liquid holding area 4 passes through the gas passage 18 and further communicates with the gas holding area 19, and this gas holding area 19 is disposed in the internal chamber of the base unit 3 and is converted into a gas state. The stored working fluid is stored. The gas holding region 19 is further disposed so as to communicate with the inside of the electric insulating tube 6 on the base unit 6b side, so that a further passage is formed between the gas holding region 19 and the inside of the electric insulating tube 6. The outer peripheral portion 9 of the cathode 8 is exposed in this passage. As an example, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the gas passage at the base unit end 6b of the electric insulating tube 6 is 3 of the cross-sectional area of the gas passage between the inner surface of the electric insulating tube 6 and the outer peripheral portion 9 at the other end 6a. It is more than double.

  In operation, the liquid holding region 4 is filled with a liquid mainly composed of water by opening the plug 17. After closing the plug 17, the cathode 8 may be generally in the starting position as shown in FIG. 2, and a voltage may be applied to the anode 11 and the cathode 8 (for example, the initial applied voltage may be 200-350V). Next, the cathode 8 is moved through the cathode holder 7 in the direction B as shown in FIG. 3 within the electrically insulating tube 6, whereby the cathode tip 13 contacts the inner surface 12 of the anode 11. Almost immediately thereafter, the cathode 8 is then moved in direction C as shown in FIG. 4 and returned to its starting position, thereby resulting in a potential difference in the gap between the inner surface 12 and the core T. The electric discharge 20 is generated. The above movement of the cathode 8 generates an electrical discharge 20, which in this embodiment may take the form of an arc discharge, and is repeated at different rates and / or intervals as needed to adjust the gap and size of the electrical discharge 20. May be. The applied voltage may change during the above operational process, as shown on the digital indicator in the power supply block.

On the other hand, the thermally conductive tube is heated by applying power to the thermally conductive tube or directly by applying heat. As a result, the liquid stored in the liquid holding region 4 is heated, and the liquid is changed to a gas state. The resulting gas passes through the gas passage 18 to the gas holding region 19, from there through the electrically insulating tube 6 from the base unit side 6 b toward the cathode 8, through the tube 6 and the cathode. Proceed into the space between the holders 7. That is, this arrangement basically functions as an efficient gas generation unit for the gas supply means. This gas may be, but is not limited to, a vapor gas or a mixed gas (such as a 2: 1 molar ratio of hydrogen (H ₂ ) gas and oxygen (O ₂ ) gas as in the Brown gas described above). .

  As described above, the gas essentially flows from the one end 6b of the electrical insulating tube 6 to the other end 6a in the direction from the base unit 3 toward the tip unit 2. The gas follows the outer peripheral portion 9 of the cathode 8 between the outer peripheral portion 9 of the cathode 8 and the inner surface of the electric insulating tube 6 in the direction from the base unit side 8b to the tip unit side 8a, as described above. It flows following the surface of the outer peripheral portion 9 having a spiral groove that turns counterclockwise in the direction from the base unit 3 to the tip unit 2. That is, by this groove, the gas is also rotated counterclockwise around the cathode 8 when flowing in the above-mentioned direction.

  When the gas reaches the discharge chamber 11a, the gas is then ignited by the electric discharge 20 to generate a flame (plasma). The flame passes through the through hole 14 toward the outer surface 15 of the anode 11, and the gas in the apparatus 1 is discharged. Released to the outside. Depending on the conditions, according to the prospects of the present invention, the gas is converted into plasma via the electric discharge 20 and from the base unit side 8b to the tip unit side 8a via the spiral groove 10 on the outer periphery 9. The gas turns into elementary particles by the counterclockwise rotation of the gas and thereby transitions to plasma. The emitted flame can be adjusted by adjusting the current in the power supply block and depending on the specific material and its dimensions, as well as other factors when used in the device, and on the anode inner surface 12 and the cathode tip 13. It may be adjusted by adjusting the gap between them and changing the potential difference. Some time (for example, 40-90 seconds) and adjustment may be required for the released flame to reach the desired or optimal state.

  The emitted flame (plasma) may appear to be the result of the combustion of brown gas. In the present invention, when the supplied gas rotates counterclockwise around the outer periphery 9, water molecules are decomposed into hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms, resulting in the resulting gas. A mixture (Brown gas or equivalent gas mixture) is likely to be ignited by the arc discharge 20. That is, since the stabilization of the plasma is at least partially due to the angle A of the spiral groove 10 (including a water molecule bond angle of 104 degrees, 100 degrees to 135 degrees), the water molecules rebound around the outer peripheral portion 9. When traveling clockwise (during this rotation, some and / or all of the gas may already be brown gas), some and / or all of the water molecules absorb electrical energy, Decomposed into H and O atoms. That is, the molecule may be broken down into separated elementary particles. Arc discharge 20 then ignites the resulting gas mixture. While proceeding along the groove 10 of the outer peripheral portion 9, as all or part of the water molecules are decomposed, electrons of H atoms and O atoms are ionized, and a transition of gas to plasma may occur. is there. An arc spot is generated from the helical groove 10 when arc discharge starts. The arc moves counterclockwise to the tip unit under the action of Lorentz force. The helical groove 10 stably guides the arc to the tip unit (135 degrees-90 degrees = 45 degrees: the arc moves obliquely 45 degrees to the top of the cathode) and stabilizes the plasma.

  When the emitted flame is referred to as a plasma, the above process can be viewed as follows: Using only about 1.3 kW of input power, it is possible to turn water into steam, then water The molecules are decomposed and then a plasma state can be achieved. It is understood that certain elementary particle reactions are occurring within the plasma (but without melting reactions) and energy conversion may have occurred. The electric energy is absorbed through the counterclockwise and spiral flow, and decomposition into atoms and quanta occurs. In such a plasma generation, it is well possible that electrons are extinguished and as a result, heat and light are emitted.

  Therefore, by using a simple groove in a copper electrode, H atoms and O atoms can be separated, and nuclei and electrons can be decomposed. It should be noted that various countries have fusion devices that require expensive electrodes. However, the present invention achieves the above results using essentially copper anodes and cathodes.

  To further illustrate the arrangement of the apparatus 1 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus 1 is arranged to heat one of the electrodes (emitter E and collector F), the emitter being tungsten. It is made. When emitter E is exposed to the plasma (flame) of the present invention, electrons are emitted from the emitter and the emitted electrons travel to the collector. This produces a flow of electrons and a current. Therefore, thermal ion conversion has occurred. In addition, the temperature of the emitter heated by the plasma of the present invention is expected to be very high, thereby increasing the efficiency of thermionic conversion.

  The ability to reach temperatures as high as 6000 degrees Celsius, which allows vaporization of even tungsten materials (as described above), enables thermionic electron emission possible and efficient (power from heat) Direct generation). The plasma of the present invention exhibits 10,000 degrees Celsius at the center of the flame.

  Again, such a result is that the present invention, which is achieved simply and safely using a relatively small power input to the device, efficiently and normally uses normal water and materials. Simple to use, it is possible to generate plasma for various applications, such as for radioactive waste treatment. When plasma (flame) is applied directly to radioactive waste, the radioactivity characteristics are reduced or, in some cases, such waste is converted to a relatively less harmful material without radioactive emissions. Is known in the art. High temperature, plasma treatment is believed to cause conversion within the waste material at the atomic level, resulting in a decrease in radioactivity characteristics. That is, the present invention can enable a safe and simple solution to existing serious and harmful problems related to radioactive waste disposal and disposal, as well as other applications.

  The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Aspects of the invention are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosed forms, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible.

  As an example, as described above, the original working substance may be an individual or a liquid. In accordance with the prospect of the present invention, the device is capable of transitioning the solid directly to vapor gas, which is then fed to the cathode as described above. Alternatively, the device may use the internal transition: solid → liquid → gas to supply the resulting gas to the cathode.

  Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims (8)

An apparatus for generating a flame from a liquid mainly composed of water,
A cathode having a base portion and a tip portion, and has an outer peripheral portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion, and pivots counterclockwise from the base portion toward the tip portion on the outer peripheral portion. The cathode in which a helical groove is formed;
A gas supply means for the cathode, which supplies the liquid in a gas state that flows in a direction from the base portion toward the tip portion, following the outer peripheral portion on which the spiral groove is formed; The gas supply means;
An anode having one surface and another surface, wherein the one surface is disposed facing the tip portion of the cathode, and due to a potential difference applied between the anode and the cathode, An electric discharge is generated between one surface and the tip of the cathode, and the electric discharge causes the spiral groove to follow the outer peripheral portion formed thereon and flow from the base to the tip. The anode comprising a through hole for igniting the gas and simultaneously releasing a flame generated by the ignition to the other surface side. The gas supply means has a gas generation unit that generates a vapor by heating a liquid mainly composed of water,
And further comprising an electrical insulating tube having one end and the other end, wherein the one end is connected to the gas generating unit, and a base side of a cathode is inserted into the other end side of the electrical insulating tube, whereby the cathode An outer peripheral portion of the base side of the opposite side of the inner surface of the other end of the electrical insulating tube,
The gas supply means supplies the liquid in a gas state to the cathode by flowing a vapor generated through the gas generation unit from the one end of the electric insulating tube to the other end. The device described in 1.   The helical groove forms a helical curve and has an obtuse angle between a tangent to a point on the helical curve and a surface line that intersects the tangent at the point and extends in a direction parallel to the center line of the cathode The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is not less than 100 degrees and not more than 135 degrees.   The helical groove forms a helical curve, and an obtuse angle is formed between the tangent to the point on the helical curve and the surface line that intersects the tangent at the point and extends in a direction parallel to the center line of the cathode 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the obtuse angle is generally equal to the bond angle of at least one of the molecules constituting the liquid.   The cross-sectional area of the gas duct at one end of the electrical insulation tube is three times the cross-sectional area of the gas passage formed between the inner surface at the other end of the electrical insulation tube and the outer periphery of the cathode. The apparatus according to claim 2, which is as described above.   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length range of at least 50% of the outer periphery of the cathode faces the inner surface of the electrically insulating tube. In the plasma generation method using an apparatus for generating plasma from a liquid containing water as a main component, the apparatus includes:
The outer peripheral portion having a base portion and a distal end portion and extending between the base portion and the distal end portion, wherein a spiral groove that rotates counterclockwise from the base portion to the distal end portion is formed thereon, A cathode having an outer periphery; and an anode having one surface and another surface, wherein the one surface is disposed to face the tip of the cathode, from the one surface to the other surface A method comprising the anode having a through hole therethrough, comprising:
(1) generating an electrical discharge between the tip of the cathode and the anode due to a potential difference applied between the cathode and the anode;
(2) The liquid in a gas state on the outer peripheral portion of the cathode so that the spiral groove follows the outer peripheral portion formed thereon and flows in a direction from the base portion toward the distal end portion. And (3) following the outer peripheral portion of the cathode, the gas flowing in the direction from the base portion toward the tip portion, and a spiral groove formed on the outer peripheral portion of the cathode Through the cathode and rotated counterclockwise from the base toward the tip, and then the gas is converted into plasma by electrical discharge between the tip of the cathode and the anode, Discharging the plasma to the other surface side of the anode via a through hole.   In step (3), the gas flowing from the base to the tip following the outer periphery of the cathode is passed through the spiral groove formed on the outer periphery of the cathode from the base toward the tip. The plasma generation method according to claim 7, further comprising changing the particles into elementary particles by rotating the gas.