Plasma discharge self-cleaning filtration system
AssigneeDrexel University
InventorsYoung I. Cho, Alexander Fridman, Alexander F. Gutsol, Yong Yang
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a novel method for cleaning a filter surface using a plasma discharge self-cleaning filtration system. The method involves utilizing plasma discharges to induce short electric pulses of nanoseconds duration at high voltages. These electrical pulses generate strong Shockwaves that disintegrate and dislodge particulate matter located on the surface of the filter.
Claims25
A method of cleaning a filter having filtered particulate thereon, said filter positioned within a liquid, said method comprising:
- applying an electric potential to a first electrode positioned within the liquid,
- so as to generate a pulsed plasma discharge
- said pulsed plasma discharge creating an electrical pulse
- vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid to cause a shockwave within the liquid, wherein the shockwave travels to the filter to impart a force upon the filter;
- said force disintegrating or dislodging the filtered particulate.
A self-cleaning filter apparatus comprising:
- a chamber containing liquid, said chamber having a defined volume;
- a liquid inlet for inletting unfiltered liquid into the chamber, wherein the unfiltered liquid comprises particulate;
- a filter mesh for filtering at least a portion of the particulate in the unfiltered liquid to convert the unfiltered liquid into filtered liquid;
- and
- a first electrode positioned in the volume within the liquid, located proximate to the filter mesh;
- said electrode in electrical communication with a power supply, wherein the power supply is configured to cause a suitable electrical potential to form a pulsed plasma discharge at the electrode, thereby vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid, causing a shockwave within the liquid, wherein the shockwave travels to the filter to impart a force upon the filter;
- said force disintegrating or dislodging the filtered particulate.
A system, comprising:
- a first filter chamber containing liquid, said chamber having a defined volume;
- a first filter positioned within the liquid of the first filter chamber;
- at least one first electrode positioned within the liquid of the first filter chamber at a location proximate to the first filter;
- and
- a power supply in electrical communication with the at least one first electrode, wherein the power supply is configured to provide an electrical potential to the at least one first electrode sufficient to generate pulsed plasma discharge, the plasma discharge being sufficient to create an electrical pulse from the plasma discharge within the liquid which vaporizes at least a portion of the liquid to cause a shockwave within the liquid, wherein the shockwave travels to the first filter to impart a force upon the at least one first filter and disintegrate or dislodge a filtered particulate on the first filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.