Modular plasma reformer treatment system
AssigneeRimere, LLC
InventorGarrett Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims47
A modular plasma treatment system, comprising:
- a first outer housing of a first plasma reformer having a first exhaust 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 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;
- 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.
A method of treating a hydrocarbon stream, comprising:
- directing the hydrocarbon stream into a first reaction zone;
- energizing, within the first reaction zone, the hydrocarbon stream flowing between a pair of coaxial electrodes comprising substantially coextensive and overlapping inner and outer electrodes to generate an energized hydrocarbon stream;
- directing the energized hydrocarbon stream into a second reaction zone at least partly downstream of the pair of coaxial electrodes, and directing a microwave energy at the energized hydrocarbon stream in the second reaction zone;
- and
- directing the energized hydrocarbon stream into a third reaction zone downstream of the pair of coaxial electrodes, the third reaction zone having a third reaction zone plasma generated by a second set of electrodes in the third reaction zone and of a different type than the pair of coaxial electrodes.
A plasma device, comprising:
- a first reaction zone having a pair of electrodes, substantially coextensive and overlapping each other, about a shared axis of elongation of the electrodes and configured to energize a gas stream therein;
- an emitter configured to direct microwave energy towards the energized gas stream in a second reaction zone downstream of the pair of electrodes;
- and
- a third reaction zone downstream of the pair of electrodes and having a third reaction zone electrode, wherein at least one of the second reaction zone or the third reaction zone is configured to maintain more than one plasma therein using at least one excitation source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.