Apparatus for fluid treatment by corona discharge

A single cell for use in treating a fluid by corona discharge, said cell having first and second electrodes which are spaced from one another, and no other electrodes than said first and second electrodes, a dielectric means located between said electrodes and spaced from said first electrode so as to define a gap between said dielectric means and said first electrode, sealing means surrounding the periphery of said gap, an inlet and outlet means for use in circulating a fluid through said gap between said electrodes in which the improvement comprises:

• said sealing means being capable of expanding and contracting so as to permit a variation in the thickness of said gap between said first electrode and said dielectric means,
• adjustment means for use in adjusting the relative positions of said first and said second electrodes so as to vary said thickness of said gap and so as to vary the spacing between said electrodes while said sealing means maintains a seal surrounding the periphery of said gap,
• said dielectric means comprises a multilayer dielectric structure, the layers of said structure extending parallel to said gap,
• the layer of said structure closest adjacent to said gap consisting of a series of flat, plate-like particles of an inert, inorganic dielectric composition located in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another so as to define a barrier capable of deformation where said particles overlap one another,
• at least one other layer of said dielectric structure including a film of a dimensionally stable dielectric polymer means which is capable of limited movement so as to accommodate temperature caused stresses and strains therein.

A fluid treatment cell for use in treating a fluid by corona discharge which comprises:

• a first electrode,
• a dielectric structure located adjacent to and spaced from said first electrode so as to define a gap between said first electrode and said dielectric structure,
• sealing means for forming a seal so as to close off said gap located between said dielectric structure and said first electrode,
• a second electrode located adjacent to said dielectric structure on the side thereof remote from said first electrode,
• said dielectric structure including at least one barrier layer of inert, inorganic particles located adjacent to said gap and at least one layer of a different dielectric material located between said barrier layer and said second electrode, said dielectric structure being substantially void free, having a uniform thickness between said electrodes and having uniform dielectric properties across said thickness,
• terminal means for supplying electric power to said electrode,
• an inlet means leading into said gap for introducing a fluid into said gap,
• an outlet means leading from said gap located so as to be spaced from said inlet means, said outlet means being for removing a fluid from within said gap,
• securing means for holding said electrodes and said sealing means and said dielectric structure together as herein defined.