US4130490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric discharge for treatment of trace contaminants
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-05-23
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Granted: 1978-12-19
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Expires: 1997-05-23
Abstract
Abstract A radio-frequency glow discharge reactor for removing trace oxidizable contaminants from an oxygen bearing atmosphere including a reaction chamber defined by an inner metal electrode facing a dielectric backed by an outer conductive electrode. In one embodiment, a conductive liquid forms the conductor of an outer electrode and cools the dielectric. A resonator coupled to a variable radio-frequency source generates the high voltages for creating a glow discharge in the chamber at a predetermined pressure whereby the trace contaminants are oxidized into a few simple non-toxic products that may be easily recovered. The corresponding process for removal of trace contaminants from an oxygen-bearing atmosphere with high efficiency independent of the concentration level is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 with respect to an invention of Lovelace Alan M. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- 👤 Daniel L. Flamm
- 👤 Theodore J. Wydeven, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 12:32
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/08; B01J19/087; B01J19/088; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S422/00; Y10S422/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A radio-frequency glow discharge reactor for the chemical processing of an oxygen-bearing gas containing trace contaminants comprising: a first electrode facing a dielectric wall backed by a second electrode; first cooling means for cooling said first electrode; second cooling means for cooling said dielectric wall and said second electrode; means for channeling the oxygen-bearing gas containing trace contaminants between said first electrode and said dielectric wall; and a supply of high-voltage radio-frequency energy generated by a helical resonator, said supply being connected between said first and second electrodes to subject the oxygen bearing gas to a radio frequency glow discharge whereby the trace contaminants in the oxygen-bearing gas are oxidized into a few simple products.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A radio-frequency glow discharge reactor for the chemical processing of an oxygen-bearing gas containing trace contaminants comprising: a first electrode facing a dielectric wall backed by a second electrode; first cooling means for cooling said first electrode; second cooling means for cooling said dielectric wall and said second electrode; means for channeling the oxygen-bearing gas containing trace contaminants between said first electrode and said dielectric wall; and a supply of high-voltage radio-frequency energy generated by a helical resonator, said supply being connected between said first and second electrodes to subject the oxygen bearing gas to a radio frequency glow discharge whereby the trace contaminants in the oxygen-bearing gas are oxidized into a few simple products.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A reactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second electrode comprises an electrically-conductive liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A reactor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said dielectric wall is cylindrically shaped and said second electrode comprises a conductive coating on said dielectric wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second electrodes are cylindrical and coaxial.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A reactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first electrode is a heat pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A reactor as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first cooling means comprises cooling fins affixed to the extremities of said heat pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A reactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dielectric wall is cylindrically shaped and said second electrode comprises a conductive liquid within said dielectric wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A reactor as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first electrode is cylindrical and coaxial with said second electrode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A reactor as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first cooling means includes a liquid-filled metal tube coiled about and in thermal contact with said first electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A reactor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said supply of high-voltage radio-frequency energy comprises a variable frequency r-f source coupled to a helical resonator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A reactor as described in claim 1 wherein said second cooling means includes: a reservoir of conductive liquid; a choke; and means for circulating said conductive liquid from said reservoir, through said choke, past said dielectric wall, through said choke and back to said reservoir.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-18 | 1982-06-19 | 1982-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-18 | 1986-06-19 | 1986-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-18 | 1990-06-19 | 1990-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |