Electrode discharge, non-thermal plasma device (reactor) for the pre-treatment of combustion air

A device for the pre-treatment of combustion air by exposure to non-thermal plasma at substantially atmospheric pressure, the device comprising:

• a first pathway for receiving the combustion air to be treated, the first pathway being formed by:
• an inner electrode;
• an outer dielectric separated a predetermined distance from the inner electrode so as to form a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma region therebetween for receiving the combustion air to be treated, the outer dielectric having at least one opening defined therethrough through which the non-thermal plasma is emitted;
• at least one outer electrode disposed in fluid communication with the at least one opening;
• and
• a second pathway for receiving fuel, the second pathway being separate from the first pathway, the first and second pathways being disposed so that respective outputs thereof form a mixing region for receiving the treated combustion air and fuel.

A method for operating a device for the pre-treatment of combustion air by exposure to non-thermal plasma at substantially atmospheric pressure, the device including an inner electrode, an outer dielectric separated a predetermined distance from the inner electrode so as to form a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma region therebetween, the outer dielectric having at least one opening defined therethrough through which the non-thermal plasma is emitted, and at least one outer electrode disposed in fluid communication with the at least one opening, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving the combustion air into the non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma region;
• treating the combustion air with non-thermal plasma emitted into the non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma region;
• receiving fuel along a path so as not to be subject to non-thermal plasma exposure;
• and
• mixing the treated combustion air and the fuel in a mixing region.

A system comprising:

• a sealed combustion chamber having an air intake;
• a plasma pre-treatment unit connected to the air intake, the plasma pre-treatment unit configured to expose the combustion air to be treated to non-thermal plasma at substantially atmospheric pressure, the plasma pre-treatment unit comprising:
• an inner electrode;
• an outer dielectric separated a predetermined distance from the inner electrode configured to form a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma region therebetween which surrounds the inner electrode, the outer dielectric having at least one opening defined substantially laterally therethrough through which the non-thermal plasma is emitted;
• and
• at least one outer electrode disposed in fluid communication with the at least one opening.

A system comprising:

• a sealed combustion chamber having an air intake;
• a plasma pre-treatment unit connected to the air intake, the plasma pre-treatment unit configured to expose the combustion air to be treated to non-thermal plasma at substantially atmospheric pressure, the plasma pre-treatment unit comprising:
• an inner electrode;
• an outer dielectric separated a predetermined distance from the inner electrode configured to form a non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma region therebetween which surrounds the inner electrode, the outer dielectric having a primary opening defined along a longitudinal axis and at least one secondary opening through which the non-thermal plasma is emitted, the secondary opening having an axis passing therethrough which intersects the longitudinal axis and which is in fluid communication with the non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma region;
• and
• at least one outer electrode disposed in fluid communication with the at least one secondary opening.