# US 2014/0151938 A1 · Systems and methods for clustering particles by liquid-phase electric plasma discharge > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151938 A1 - Document ID: US20140151938A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/866,012 - Filed: 2013-04-18 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-18 - Assignees: Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Applicants: Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Inventors: Jeffery S. Hsieh; Alexander T. Jordan; Daniel T. Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151938A1 ## CPC - C02F 1/463: by electrocoagulation - C02F 1/4608: {using electrical discharges} - C02F 1/36: ultrasonic vibrations - C02F 2101/308: {Dyes; Colorants; Fluorescent agents} - C02F 2103/28: from the paper or cellulose industry - C02F 2209/05: Conductivity or salinity - C02F 2305/023: Reactive oxygen species, singlet oxygen, OH radical - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) ## Abstract The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for clustering particles, especially water contaminants, by liquid-phase electric plasma discharge. According to certain implementations, the discharge may be applied continuously, and may be of relatively low power, e.g., a voltage between 300 V and 5000 V and an amperage between 0.1 A and 1 A. The electrodes introducing the electric discharge may be in a point-to-point configuration and with at least one electrode having a large aspect ratio. In some implementations, one or more of the voltage and amperage of the electric discharge, electrode configuration and aspect ratio, and the conductivity of the medium may enable the generation of plasma containing hydroxyl and other radicals. The radicals may catalyze polymerization of the particles, resulting in an increase in particle size and, thus, improved filterability. The polymerization process may continue after the electric discharge is discontinued or removed from influence of the medium. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of clustering particles in a medium comprising: energizing the medium by a continuous electric discharge; generating plasma within the medium, responsive to energizing the medium; and clustering at least a portion of the particles in the medium, responsive to generating the plasma; wherein a voltage and an amperage of the electric discharge, and a conductivity of the medium enable the generation of plasma in the medium; wherein the generated plasma comprises free radicals; wherein the clustering of the at least a portion of the particles comprises the polymerization of at least a portion of the particles, the polymerization catalyzed by free radicals. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the particles are undissolved in the medium prior to clustering. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the particles are insoluble in the medium. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the medium substantially comprises a liquid. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the liquid is water. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: stopping the energizing of the medium; and continuing the polymerization of at least a portion of the particles. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: stopping the energizing of the medium; adding additional particles to the medium; and catalyzing, by free radicals, polymerization of at least a portion of the additional particles. ### Claim 8 A method of clustering particles in a medium comprising: energizing the medium by an electric discharge; generating plasma within the medium, responsive to energizing the medium; and clustering at least a portion of the particles in the medium, responsive to generating the plasma; wherein the electric discharge is at a voltage between 300 V and 5000 V and an amperage between 0.1 A and 1 A; wherein the voltage and the amperage of the electric discharge, and a conductivity of the medium enable the generation of plasma in the medium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the electric discharge is at a voltage between 1000 V and 3000 V and an amperage between 0.25 A and 0.60 A. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the electric discharge has a power of approximately 1000 W. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the electric discharge is at a voltage of approximately 2,500 V and an amperage of approximately 0.40 A. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the conductivity of the medium is between 200 μS/cm and 500 μS/cm. ### Claim 13 A method of clustering particles in a medium comprising: energizing the medium by an electric discharge; generating plasma within the medium, responsive to energizing the medium; and clustering at least a portion of the particles in the medium, responsive to generating the plasma; wherein the medium is energized via two or more electrodes, including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and second electrode being in a point-to-point configuration; wherein the clustering of the at least a portion of the particles comprises polymerization of at least a portion of the particles; wherein a voltage and an amperage of the electric discharge, a conductivity of the medium, and the configuration of the two or more electrodes enable the generation of plasma in the medium. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first electrode and second electrode are each substantially formed of an elongated member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the first electrode is in electrical contact with the medium, the portion of the first electrode in electrical contact being disposed on the side of the first electrode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first electrode is an anode. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein a surface area of the portion of the first electrode in contact with the medium is substantially rectangular. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the surface area has a length and width, the ratio of the length to width being at least 10. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the second electrode is in electrical contact with the medium, the portion of the second electrode in electrical contact being disposed at the end of the second electrode and having a substantially elliptical surface area. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first electrode and second electrode each have a portion of the electrode in electrical contact with the medium, and wherein a total surface area of the portions in electrical contact is between 0.01 and 0.1 square inches. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first electrode and second electrode each have a portion of the electrode in electrical contact with the medium, and wherein a total surface area of the portions in electrical contact is approximately 0.03 square inches. ### Claim 22 A method of reducing a density of particles in a medium comprising: energizing the medium by a continuous electric discharge at a voltage between 300 V and 5000 V and an amperage between 0.1 A and 1 A, the medium energized via two or more electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes in a point-to-point configuration; generating plasma within the medium responsive to energizing the medium, the plasma comprising free radicals; responsive to generating the plasma, clustering at least a portion of the particles in the medium; and filtering at least a portion of the clustered particles from the medium; wherein the clustering of the at least a portion of the particles comprises polymerization of the at least a portion of the particles, the polymerization catalyzed by free radicals; wherein the at least a portion of the particles have a first average size and the clustered particles have a second average size greater than the first average size; wherein filtering is performed using a filter substantially permeable to particles of the first average size but not the second average size; wherein the voltage and the amperage of the electric discharge, and the configuration of the two or more electrodes enable the generation of plasma in the medium. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the medium substantially comprises water. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the free radicals substantially comprise hydroxyl radicals. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first average size is submicronic, and the second average size is supermicronic. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first average size is microscopic, and the second average size is macroscopic. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the medium and the particles substantially comprise paper mill effluent. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, wherein the particles substantially comprise one or more of pigmented ink and microstickies. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The method of claim 22, further comprising energizing the medium by ultrasonification.