Apparatus for the plasma destruction of hazardous gases

U.S. Patent Number: 5387775

Abstract: A plasma cell for destroying hazardous gases. An electric-discharge cell having an electrically conducting electrode onto which an alternating high-voltage waveform is impressed and a dielectric barrier adjacent thereto, together forming a high-voltage electrode, generates self-terminating discharges throughout a volume formed between this electrode and a grounded conducting liquid electrode. The gas to be transformed is passed through this volume. The liquid may be flowed, generating thereby a renewable surface. Moreover, since hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids may be formed from destruction of various chlorofluorocarbons in the presence of water, a conducting liquid may be selected which will neutralize these corrosive compounds. The gases exiting the discharge region may be further scrubbed if additional purification is required.

Inventors: Kang; Michael (Los Alamos, NM)

Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)

Application Number: 08/041,019

Issued: 1995-02-07

Expired: 2007-02-07

Classes: 219/121.52 ; 110/242; 110/244; 219/121.43; 219/121.49; 422/173; 422/186.22

Field of search: 219/121.43,121.36,121.48,121.49,121.51,121.52,75 110/242,243,244,250 422/186.21,186.22,173

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