FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to devices and systems for ionizing air or gases, or for use in air treatment systems.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The use of non-thermal plasmas is currently a largely applied approach for pollution control techniques. It is widely recommended for high energy efficiency and its ability to mitigate multiple types of toxic molecules simultaneously when applied. Generally, in one approach, non-thermal plasma devices are used to ionize gases and generate reactive species and radicals, whereby the ionization mechanism can be generated via dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) or other methods.

In practice, for ionization, the threshold or degree of ionization depends on the intensity of the electric field across the gap that is formed between the grounded and live electrode. One of the primary pitfalls associated to conventional ionizers is that the gap distance or width is typically fixed and in the event that adjustments to the distance of the gap is required, the whole ionizing device would have to be reconstructed or refabricated to allow the adjustments or to meet the desired arrangement. Such requirements can be inconvenient and costly. In addition, for flue gas treatment purposes, the flow rate of the flue gas may cause the ionization degree to change, causing the ionization degree to change, and thereby entails modification in the electrodes modification.

The increasing attention to the use of non-thermal plasmas as part of air treatment efforts, has resulted to various approaches and systems being developed to accommodate the increasing demand. However, the existing approaches and techniques suffer from a number of drawbacks.

An example of a prior art ionizer device is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,519,357. This prior art discloses air ionizer, comprising: a hollow member having a wall with an inner and outer surface; electrode means disposed within said member in contact with said inner surface of said wall; a foraminous outer electrode spaced from and substantially surrounding the outer surface of said wall; and means for applying a high voltage between said electrode means and said outer electrode to generate ozone in air or oxygen-containing gas introduced into the space adjacent said outer surface of said wall. A problem with this prior art device is that in order to reconfigure or change the arrangement of the electrodes or adjust the size of the space that receives the gas, all components have to be removed from their original position and then reassembled or replaced. Recognizing the aforementioned shortcomings, the present invention has been accomplished to significantly address at least one of the above-discussed shortcomings in the existing systems and devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention may be best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates the overall view of the device and system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the holder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

SUM MARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, there is disclosed an ionization device for air treatment systems; the device comprising: at least one grounded electrode comprising an inner surface; at least one live electrode adapted to be retained within the first electrode for inducing dielectrical discharge; a dielectric barrier positioned in a manner such that it is enveloping the live electrode; a holder comprising a plurality of retainers sized to receive and hold the live electrode within the grounded electrode; and is adapted to be removably secured to the grounded electrode means; whereby the surface of the barrier is separated from the electrode thereby forming a space there between forming a pathway for receiving air to be treated. Preferably, the device includes a non-thermal plasma region.

Preferably, the device is a non-thermal plasma ionization device. Preferably, the grounded electrode means includes a cylindrical shape member with a hollow portion and an inner wall.

In a preferred embodiment, the holder is a ring member which is adapted to be secured the inner surface of the grounded electrode means.

Preferably, the circular holder further includes threaded connections or threaded bores to enable removable securement to the grounded electrode means.

Preferably, the holder is a circular shape member comprising multiple rings attached to the inner surface of said circular shape member, at a predetermined distance from each other.

Preferably, circular holder comprises retainers in the form of rings accordingly sized to receive and hold at least one electrode encased by a dielectric barrier.

Further in the preferred embodiment, the circular holder is adapted for enabling the removal of live electrodes and the dielectric barrier without the need to refabricate the device in the event that the configuration of electrodes or barrier needs to be modified.

Further in the preferred embodiment, the circular holder is adapted for enabling the adjustment of the distance or gap between the live electrode and at least one surface of the ground electrode, thereby adjusting the ionization threshold. The ground electrode is a hollow tubular member, and comprising a plurality of rings sized for receiving cable for electrical connections. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In line with the above summary, the following description of a number of specific and alternative embodiments is provided to understand the inventive features of the present invention. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however that this invention may be practiced without such specific details. Some of the details may not be described at length so as not to obscure the invention. For ease of reference, common reference numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a low-cost, non-thermal plasma generating ionization device. Broadly described, the present invention is developed for use in ionizing gases or air, in which the ionization mechanism is generated via dielectric discharge.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the present invention is a non-thermal plasma ionization device 100 for air treatment systems; the device 100 comprising: at least one grounded electrode means 101 having a cylindrical form; at least one live electrode means 102 adapted to be retained within the first electrode means for inducing dielectrical discharge; a dielectric barrier means 103 positioned in a manner such that it is enveloping the live electrode means 102; a holder 104 comprising a plurality of retainers 104a sized to receive and hold the live electrode means 102 being encased by a dielectric barrier within the grounded electrode means 101 ; and is adapted to be removably secured to the grounded electrode means 101. The surface of the dielectric barrier means 103 is separated from the electrode thereby forming a space there between for non-thermal plasma region; and forming a pathway for receiving air to be treated. With reference to FIG. 1 , the grounded electrode means 101 includes a hollow cylindrical member with an inner wall, whereby the cylindrical member is accordingly sized to receive multiple live electrode means 102. Perceptibly, the length and diameter of said cylindrical member may vary. The cylindrical member further includes a plurality of cavities 101a formed at a predetermined distance from each other, each of which is adapted to receive a bolt or any suitable fastening means. In the preferred embodiment, each cavity includes a threaded portion to enable securement of fastening means thereto. In between the cavities 101 a there could be at least one opening 101 b adapted for receiving cables or member of the likes to enable power supply connection to the device. The live electrode 102 is an elongated member of a predetermined size which is substantially reduced than that of the grounded electrode 101. It is adapted to be inserted into the hollow portion of the grounded electrode 101 and retained at a horizontal position, parallel to, and within the grounded electrode 101. In the preferred embodiment, the grounded electrode 101 is adapted to accommodate several live electrodes 102. To achieve the purpose of the present invention, each live electrode 102 is encased or enveloped by a dielectric barrier 103.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric barrier 103 is constructed from dielectric barrier material, for instance, but not limiting to, quartz, glass, quartz, ceramics and polymers. In the preferred embodiment, the dielectric barrier includes a tube form, accordingly sized for at least one live electrode 102 to be inserted and retained therein. It should be noted that the geometrical design of the dielectric material or member is not restricted to quartz shape.

Now referring to FIG. 2, the holder 104 includes a circular shape body 104a which is adapted to be secured the inner surface of the grounded electrode 101. The holder 104 is accordingly adapted to include retainers to hold or retain the dielectric barrier 103 or material together with at least one live electrode 102, at a predetermined position. In a preferred embodiment, the holder 104 includes a flat strip formed into a ring shape member whereby on the inner surface of the ring, the retainers are 104b disposed at a predetermined distance from each other, each whereby each retainer 104a is sufficiently sized to receive the dielectric carrier and the live electrode 102. The holder 104 further includes threaded bores 104c to enable removable securement to the grounded electrode 101. The retainers 104a may be in the form of rings having at least one end attached to the inner surface of said holder 104. For attaching the holder 104 to the ground electrode 102, a plurality of threaded bores 104c are formed and spaced around the ring. The holder 104 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is adapted for enabling the removal of live electrodes 102 and the dielectric barrier without the need to refabricate the device 100 in the event that the configuration of electrodes or barrier 103 needs to be modified, whereby it enables the adjustment of the distance or gap between the live electrode 102 and at least one surface of the ground electrode 101 , thereby adjusting the ionization threshold. In this arrangement and to adjust the distance, the holder 104 is adapted to be movable within the ground electrode 101 and secured to a desired position by means of the threaded connections and bores provided on the ground electrode 101 and the holder 104. Upon assembled, each live electrode 102 is encased by the dielectric barrier means 103 and there can be a plurality of encased live electrodes placed within the grounded electrode 101 which serves as an outer shell for the encased live electrodes. They are held firmly by the respective retainers 104a of the holder 104. In order to adjust the spacing or configuration of the encased electrodes within the outer shell, the holder 104 can be displaced or moved within the outer shell to a desired position and secured in said position by suitable fastening means. To secure the holder 104 in a desired position, any one of the bores around the ring is aligned with at least one threaded bore of the outer shell (ground electrode). A suitable fastening means is extended through the bore on the holder 104 and through the threaded bore of the outer shell. Accordingly, the gap between the electrodes can be varied by changing the position of the holder 104, without the need of replacing the whole outer shell - ground electrode 101.

During use, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the applied alternating voltage, charges accumulate between the dielectric barrier 103 and the ground electrode 101 until the electric field is sufficiently high enough to initiate a partial electrical discharge through the gas gap (also commonly known as "gas breakdown"). Gas to be treated is channelled through the space within the device of the present invention, exposed to the electric field and thereby affecting the ozone concentration to be released with desired or average ozone concentration. It should be understood that the device may be operated based on a conventional or standard principal of treating ozone concentration.

The gas treated with the non-plasma device of the present invention can be ambient air, pure oxygen, any one of the rare gases, or a combination of each such as a mix of air or oxygen with other gases. Generally it is used to produce ozone to treat flue gas emissions from internal combustion engines, including diesel engines. It is further anticipated that the device of the present invention can be used to enhance combustion performance in internal combustion engine, whereby the ionized air acts as seed reactants and initiate chain reactions, thus improve the combustion of atomised fuel.

While the above provides a complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, various modifications, alternate constructions and equivalents may be employed without departing from the objective and scope of invention. The application is neither intended to limit its scope in any way.