Continuous methods for treating liquids and manufacturing certain constituents (e.g., nanoparticles) in liquids, apparatuses and nanoparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s) resulting therefrom
Inventors
Pierce, David K. • Mortenson, Mark G. • Bryce, David A.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11000042-B2
Publication Date
2021-05-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
This invention relates generally to novel methods and novel devices for the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles, microparticles and nanoparticle/liquid solution(s). The nanoparticles (and/or micron-sized particles) comprise a variety of possible compositions, sizes and shapes. The particles (e.g., nanoparticles) are caused to be present (e.g., created) in a liquid (e.g., water) by, for example, preferably utilizing at least one adjustable plasma (e.g., created by at least one AC and/or DC power source), which plasma communicates with at least a portion of a surface of the liquid. At least one subsequent and/or substantially simultaneous adjustable electrochemical processing technique is also preferred. Multiple adjustable plasmas and/or adjustable electrochemical processing techniques are preferred. The continuous process causes at least one liquid to flow into, through and out of at least one trough member, such liquid being processed, conditioned and/or effected in said trough member(s). Results include constituents formed in the liquid including micron-sized particles and/or nanoparticles (e.g., metallic-based nanoparticles) of novel size, shape, composition and properties present in a liquid.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device for substantially continuously forming at least one constituent in at least one flowing liquid by passing the flowing liquid through at least one trough member having a flow direction. A liquid transport means selected from a liquid pump and gravity supplies the liquid into the trough member to create the flowing liquid, and the flowing liquid passes sequentially by a plurality of sets of submerged electrodes arranged along the flow direction such that a last set is located downstream from a first set.
Each set of submerged electrodes is connected to at least one AC power source for conducting at least one electrochemical reaction at each set. The device architecture uses multiple sequential electrode sets to allow the electrochemical reaction to occur while the liquid flows past the sets, and in the flowing water embodiment the trough member has an inlet portion and an outlet portion, with the electrochemical reaction area located in the trough member.
The invention further characterizes electrode-set implementation and operation using an electrode control device for raising and lowering each set relative to an upper surface of the flowing liquid. Electrode configuration can be defined using an imaginary plane between each pair of submerged electrode sets, including orientations substantially perpendicular to or substantially parallel to the flowing liquid, and the downstream sequential electrode arrangement in flowing water supports production of metallic-based nanoparticles.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00007, and clm-00014. They share a common inventive concept of using sequential sets of submerged electrodes along a flow direction in a trough, with AC power supplied to each electrode set, and they differ mainly by the stated objective and by the specified product and water-focused context in the independent claim scope. Across the independent claims, three main inventive features are repeatedly specified: the trough and flow direction, sequential submerged electrode sets powered by AC, and the constituent formation in flowing water.
Sequential submerged electrode sets along flow direction in a trough
A plurality of sets of submerged electrodes are located along the flow direction such that the flowing liquid passes by the plurality of sets sequentially and the last set is located downstream from the first set.
Ac power source connected to each electrode set for electrochemical reaction
At least one AC power source is connected to each set of the plurality of sets of submerged electrodes for conducting at least one electrochemical reaction at each set.
Substantially continuous formation of a constituent in flowing liquid or flowing water
A device for substantially continuously forming at least one constituent in at least one flowing liquid, or in flowing water, using at least one trough member containing the flowing liquid or water with an inlet and outlet portion and a liquid transport means for causing the liquid to flow into the trough member and past the submerged electrode sets sequentially.
Across clm-00001, clm-00007, and clm-00014, the claims consistently cover a trough-based flowing-liquid system that directs liquid past sequential sets of submerged electrodes, where each set has its own AC power connection to conduct electrochemical reactions. The independent claim scope is grounded in substantially continuous operation and, in the flowing-water constituent version, in producing a constituent such as metallic-based nanoparticles within flowing water.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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