Use of glow discharge in fluidized beds
OwnerRobert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Theodore Wydeven +3inventors
InventorsRobert A. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Frosch, Theodore Wydeven, Peter C. Wood, Edward V. Ballou, Leroy A. Spitze
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Abstract
Static charges and agglomeration of particles in a fluidized bed system are minimized by maintaining in at least part of the bed a radio frequency glow discharge. This approach is eminently suitable for processes in which the conventional charge removing agents, i.e., moisture or conductive particle coatings, cannot be used. The technique is applied here to the disproportionation of calcium peroxide diperoxyhydrate to yield calcium superoxide, an exceptionally water and heat sensitive reaction.
Claims8
A process for the minimization of agglomeration of particles in a reaction chamber containing solid particulate material fluidized by a gas stream so as to produce a fluidized bed, said process comprising:
- (a) positioning first and second electrodes external of and near said reaction chamber;
- (b) applying radio-frequency power between said first and second electrodes to maintain a glow discharge in at least a part of said fluidized bed to dissipate electrostatic charges from the particulate material.
In the process of disproportionating particles of calcium peroxide diperoxyhydrate in a reaction chamber, the improvement comprising:
- (a) injecting a stream of chemically inert gas upward through said particles to suspend particles and produce a fluidized bed;
- (b) positioning first and second electrodes external of and near said reaction chamber;
- and
- (c) applying radio-frequency power between said first and second electrodes to maintain a glow discharge in at least a part of said fluidized bed to dissipate electrostatic charges from said particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.