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US RE50,464 E1Granted
Modular plasma reformer treatment system
AssigneeRimere, LLC
InventorGarrett Hill
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular plasma treatment system has interchangeable and easily accessible inner and outer electrodes that concentrically nest within an outer housing of one or more plasma reformers. The inner and outer electrodes have self-centering features that allow for blind-fitting of the interchangeable inner and outer electrodes during electrode replacement and maintenance. A plurality of reformers that generate different types of plasmas are preferably arranged serially to allow for a mixture of separate plasmas within the same reaction area and to increase utilization of short-lived radicals.
Claims66
A modular plasma treatment system, comprising:
- a first outer housing of a first plasma reformer having a first exhaust an inlet for receiving a first input gaseous stream and a first exhaust outlet for expelling a first output gaseous stream, wherein the first outer housing comprises;
- a first plasma reformer situated within the first outer housing, and having a first outer electrode and a first inner electrode configured to produce a rotating glide arc plasma within a first housing inner receiving chamber;
- a first outer electrode sized and dimensioned to abut first housing portions of the first housing inner receiving chamber such that the first outer electrode does not substantially move when set in place within the first housing inner receiving chamber, wherein the first outer electrode comprises a first electrode inner receiving chamber;
- a second outer electrode sized and dimensioned to abut the first housing portions of the first housing inner receiving chamber such that the second outer electrode does not substantially move when set in place within the first housing inner receiving chamber, wherein the second outer electrode comprises a second electrode inner receiving chamber plasma reformer having a second outer electrode and a second inner electrode configured to produce a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma wherein the first and second plasma reformers are disposed serially such that the first inner and outer electrodes are configured to be coupled to the second inner and outer electrodes by a common reaction zone, and wherein at least two plasmas are present in the common reaction zone
- a first inner electrode sized and dimensioned to abut first electrode portions of the first electrode inner receiving chamber such that the first inner electrode does not substantially move when set in place within the first electrode inner receiving chamber;
- and
- a second inner electrode sized and dimensioned to abut second electrode portions of the second electrode inner receiving chamber such that the second inner electrode does not substantially move when set in place within the second electrode inner receiving chamber.
4 more elements
A plasma system comprising:
- a plasma reformer having an inlet fluidly coupled to a receiving chamber;
- a first reformer comprising a first outer electrode arranged serially to the receiving chamber, wherein the first outer electrode comprises a first electrode receiving chamber;
- a second reformer comprising a second outer electrode arranged serially to the receiving chamber, wherein the second outer electrode comprises a second electrode receiving chamber;
- a first inner electrode at least partially within the first electrode receiving chamber, and configured to cooperate with the first outer electrode to produce a first plasma;
- and
- a second inner electrode at least partially within the second electrode receiving chamber, and configured to cooperate with the second outer electrode to produce a second plasma different from the first plasma;
- and
- the first and second reformers disposed serially to one another such that the first inner and outer electrodes are configured to be coupled to the second inner and outer electrodes by a common reaction zone, and wherein at least two plasmas are present in the common reaction zone.
5 more elements
A plasma system, comprising:
- a first reaction zone comprising first and second co-axial electrodes, wherein the second electrode is nested within the first electrode;
- a second reaction zone comprising third and fourth co-axial electrodes;
- the first and second reaction zones disposed serially to one another such that the first or second co-axial electrode is configured to be coupled to the third or fourth co-axial electrode by a common reaction zone;
- and
- a microwave guide directed toward at least a portion of one or more of the first reaction zone, the second reaction zone, and the common reaction zone.
2 more elements
A plasma reformer, comprising:
- a receiving chamber;
- a first outer electrode arranged serially to the receiving chamber,
- a first inner electrode cooperatively coupled with the first outer electrode to produce a first plasma within a first electrode receiving chamber, wherein the first inner electrode is nested within the first outer electrode;
- a second outer electrode arranged serially to the receiving chamber,
- a second inner electrode cooperatively coupled with the second outer electrode to produce a second plasma within a second electrode receiving chamber, the second plasma different from the first plasma;
- the first and second receiving chambers disposed serially to one another such that at least one of the first outer electrode or the first inner electrode is configured to be coupled to at least one of the second outer electrode or the second inner electrode by a common reaction zone;
- and
- a microwave generator that is configured to generate microwaves directed towards the plasma reformer.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.