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-9743672-B2
Publication Date
2017-08-29
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 relates to a continuous liquid-processing apparatus and a process for creating constituents in water by flowing water through trough members and generating at least one plasma between plasma-forming electrodes and portions of upper surfaces of the water. The process includes a plasma-forming electrode comprising metallic silver to create a plasma at an upstream location, and at least one set of downstream electrodes comprising silver in contact with the water to conduct an electrochemical reaction that produces at least some silver constituents within the water.
In a separate second water flow through at least one second trough member, the invention provides metallic electrode sets comprising zinc, including a plasma-forming electrode comprising zinc and a liquid-contacting electrode comprising zinc. At least one plasma is created between the zinc plasma-forming electrode and at least a portion of the upper surface of the second water to produce at least some zinc constituents within the second water from the zinc electrode set or at least two zinc electrode sets.
The process then mixes together the at least some silver constituents within the first water and the at least some zinc constituents within the second water. The description indicates continuous water flow through trough members, controllable plasma generation associated with electrodes and the upper surface of the water, and downstream mixing of the silver constituents and zinc constituents.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified. Each claim defines a multi-stage process with plasma creation at electrode-to-water-surface interfaces, subsequent electrochemical reaction for silver, and mixing of resulting silver and zinc constituents, with zinc formation implemented using either a single zinc electrode set or at least two zinc electrode sets.
Plasma-to-electrochemical silver formation followed by mixing with zinc constituents
Flowing water through at least one first trough member; providing at least one plasma-forming electrode comprising metallic silver; creating at least one plasma between the plasma-forming electrode and at least a portion of the upper surface; providing at least one set of electrodes comprising silver in contact with the water and located downstream; conducting at least one electrochemical reaction at the silver electrode set to produce at least some silver constituents within the water; flowing a second water through at least one second trough member; providing at least one metallic electrode set comprising a plasma-forming electrode comprising zinc and a liquid-contacting electrode comprising zinc; creating at least one plasma between the zinc plasma-forming electrode and at least a portion of the upper surface of the second water to produce at least some zinc constituents; and mixing together the at least some silver constituents and the at least some zinc constituents.
Two zinc electrode sets plasma formation with downstream silver electrochemical production and mixing
Flowing water through at least one first trough member; providing at least one plasma-forming electrode comprising metallic silver; creating at least one plasma between the plasma-forming electrode and at least a portion of the upper surface; providing at least one set of electrodes comprising silver in contact with the water and located downstream; conducting at least one electrochemical reaction at the silver electrode set to produce at least some silver constituents within the water; flowing a second water through at least one second trough member; providing at least two zinc electrode sets, each zinc electrode set comprising a plasma-forming electrode comprising zinc and another electrode comprising zinc in electrical connection with the plasma-forming electrode through the second water; creating at least one plasma between each zinc plasma-forming electrode and at least a portion of the upper surface of the second water to produce at least some zinc constituents from the at least two zinc electrode sets; and mixing together the at least some silver constituents and the at least some zinc constituents.
Across both independent claims, the core claim coverage centers on producing silver constituents using metallic-silver plasma followed by a downstream silver electrode electrochemical reaction, producing zinc constituents using zinc plasma between zinc plasma-forming electrodes and the upper surface of a second water stream, and mixing the resulting silver and zinc constituents.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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