MXPA97010424A - A method and apparatus for purifying a gaseous mixture that includes molecules and / or cells of toxic substances or contaminates - Google Patents

Abstract

The method includes a step of creating a flow of a mixture, a step of generating an electron discharge at such a rate to create an area in which the mixture is ionized, and a step of directing a series of electron beams in order to of intercepting the flow of the mixture, whereby the cohesion of the peripheral electron of the molecules or cells of contamination is broken when colliding with the ions formed in the mixture. The apparatus includes an ionization cell (10) having a anode (12) and an emitting cathode (13) energized at a negative voltage of the order of 50,000 volts. The cathode (13) has a series of elements designated to emit the electron beams (30) that are intercepted in an area (11) of interception of the mixture.

Description

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING A GASEOUS MIXTURE THAT INCLUDES MOLECULES AND / OR CELLS OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES OR CONTAMINANTS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for purifying a gaseous mixture that includes molecules and / or cells of toxic substances or contaminants. . BACKGROUND OF THE ART Various types of apparatus for purifying gases that destroy or neutralize contaminating substances are known. In a known type, also used in catalytic converters for the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, a thermal reactor was used in which the mass of the reactor was conducted at an elevated temperature to achieve complete oxidation and / or dissociation thermal of the molecules of the polluting substances. For this operation it is first necessary to reduce the gas flow velocity drastically by passing it through a series of chambers or in a highly obstructive catalytic path. This device is generally very expensive both because of the energy required in the operation and because of the equipment required for its regulation and control. Furthermore, it can not be used when the gases to be purified contain molecules of heavy metals, chlorinated hydrocarbons, phosphorus, arsenic, boron, lead, zinc and similar toxic substances. Finally, even for the substances for which this apparatus is effective, large quantities of carbon dioxide are released, which is known to satisfy relatively low contents. Thus a barrier or greenhouse is formed which means that the accumulated heat causes harmful variations in the local climate, for example in large cities. The apparatus is also known to purify gas by means of chemical reactions in which the contaminant is transferred to liquid or solid reagents. However, when these reagents become saturated or exhausted, they become corrosive and / or caustic, whereby it is not easy to dispose of them ecologically. Finally, it is known that the purification apparatus is based on the reaction of molecules in a gas with molecules on the surface of a solid material, known as adsorption. In this, the gas is retained by the surfaces of the grains of the adsorbent material, for example activated carbon, in a so-called adsorption reactor. These reactors, however, have the disadvantage that the surfaces of the grains are quickly filled so that they have to be frequently regenerated. Consequently, in general, this type of apparatus can be used only with gases having low concentrations of substances to be removed. In addition, in a plant that operates in a continuous cycle, the apparatus must be doubled so that there is always one unit working while the other is being regenerated. From US-A-3 875 034, an apparatus for reducing the gaseous current containing one or more odorous organic contaminants by means of a silent electric discharge is known. Such discharge is caused by electrodes energized with a voltage source of no more than 20 kilovolts, and by raising the temperature of the gas stream. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for purifying gaseous mixtures which is extremely simple and reliable in its operation and eliminates the problems of the prior art listed above. This object is achieved by the method of the invention for purifying a gaseous mixture that includes molecules and / or cells of toxic or contaminating substances, including a step of passing a flow of the gas mixture along a path, and a step of generating a discharge of electrons in said path to create an ionization zone of the mixture, wherein the electrons form a series of electron beams directed to intersect the flow of the mixture, and characterized in that said electron discharge is obtained with a voltage between 30, 000 and 70,000 volts to cause the electrons of these beams to travel at speeds between one fifth and one half the speed of light to break the peripheral electron bonds of the molecules and / or cells collided with said substances, thus producing elements non-polluting allotropes. The corresponding apparatus comprises conveyor means for transporting the mixture along a predetermined path, an ionization cell housed in said path within said conveying means, said cell including a substantially cylindrical anode and a central emitting cathode comprising at least one disc, said anode and cathode being energized by a source of electrical energy to cause an electron discharge to create an ionization zone, wherein the electrons form a series of electron beams directed to intersect the flow of the mixture, and characterized in which the emitting disk is provided with a series of elements in the form of a point for the ejection correspondingly said series of beams as they assume forms corresponding to the shapes of said anode and cathode and their mutual positions, to form an interception barrier which acts as a filter for said flow, causing said f Source of energy said discharge of electrons by means of a voltage between 30,000 and 70,000 volts, to cause the electrons of these beams to travel at speeds of between one tenth and one half the speed of light to break the peripheral electron bonds of the molecules and / or cells collided with the aforementioned substances, thus producing non-polluting allotropic elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention, one will describe a preferred embodiment later only by way of example, with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a complex molecule of a polluting substance; Figure 2 is a schematic section of a gas conduit of the apparatus for carrying out the purification method of the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a detail of the apparatus according to a variant of Figure 2, on an enlarged scale; Figure 4 is a side view of the detail of Figure 3; Figure 5 is an electronic circuit diagram for the supply of the apparatus of Figure 2. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Air pollution in general, and from nearby environments in particular, results from the mixing of air with gaseous components, which are frequently harmful, and suspensions of dust of various kinds, for example pollens, which cause allergies, or bacteria or the like. All these substances can also be toxic or harmful when they are aspired by living beings. More particularly, in industrial plants, for example chemical plants, the usual chimneys transmit a gaseous mixture into the atmosphere which is generally called simply "gas" but which carries high concentrations of molecules of one or more of the following substances mixed or suspended therein: heavy metals, lead, zinc, boron, cement, arsenic, phosphorus, clophed hydrocarbons derived from plastic materials, and other substances In addition combustion plants in general and internal combustion engines in particular discharge gases into the atmosphere containing one or more of the following substances: carbon and sulfur powder, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and sulfur oxides, sulfides , benzene, etc.

In addition in nearby environments of plant breeding and animal breeding, the air is contaminated by molecules of harmful substances and / or pollens. Finally the closed environments for public use, for example convention and entertainment rooms, as well as in hospitals and hospices, the air is vitiated or contaminated by carbon dioxide and the various exhalations and bacteria or the like. The molecules of such organic and inorganic contaminants are generally complex, that is, formed of various simple molecules. By way of example, Figure 1 shows a complex contaminant molecule 5 which is constituted by a number of simple molecules 6 and 7 held together by the bonds formed by negative electrons 8 that move in orbits outside the nucleus of the individual molecules. These electrons, due to their high velocities, acquire the centrifugal forces far from the nuclei which are, in general, balanced by the attractive centripetal forces of the positive ions of the nuclei, by means of which the molecules are neutral. Biological contaminants are, in turn, generally constituted by cells or groups of cells which, under certain conditions, tend to reproduce and influence the cells of other organisms.

It is known to physicists that, if an appropriate negative electrical voltage is applied to a cathode immersed in a gas, negative electrons are concentrated on its surface. When a predetermined voltage is exceeded, these electrons are ejected and travel at high speeds toward the anode. These electrons, when colliding with the particles of gas or dust (molecules or cells), create other ions by means of which the entire gas mixture quickly becomes ionized. If the cathode surface has an edge, a projection or a pointed element, the electrons are accumulated and emitted continuously from the edge, the projection or the indicated element. With reference to figure 2, a discharge conduit is generally indicated at 9 which is arranged to transport the gas to the outside. The purification apparatus is installed in the conduit 9 and includes a cell generally indicated at 10 in which an electron discharge is generated, the electrons traveling at speeds such as to create a gas ionization zone 11. More particularly, the cell 10 includes a cylindrical anode 12 of conductive material, for example aluminum, or preferably stainless steel to avoid oxidation problems. Within the anode 12 there is a cathode 13 for emitting negative ions which are constituted by a circular disk of conductive material fixed to a handle 14 which is connected to a bar 15 of non-conductive material. The bar 15 is fixed at the same time to the upper edge of the anode 12. The disk 13 carries a series of filiform elements of metal 31, for example like those of a metal brush. Alternatively, the disc 13 may have a series of triangular teeth. In the variant shown in Figures 3 and 4, the disk 13 is sheet metal of a predetermined thickness and has a peripheral edge 16 formed with a set of V-shaped notches 17 at predetermined mutual spaces. The notches 17 are separated by teeth 18 each of which is bent towards a helical shape about a radial axis relative to the disc 13, whereby the outer edge 16 of each tooth is disposed in a turn. The voltage supplied to the purification cell 10 is generated by an electronic circuit, generally indicated at 19, which includes a transformer 20 to reduce the voltage of the main line and a current rectifier 21 that rectifies the alternating current of the main line . The output of the direct current by the rectifier 19 supplies an oscillator 22 which drives a special auto-transformer 23 to raise the voltage. The primary of the transformer 23 has two opposite windings 24 and 25 while the secondary one has a single winding 26. The voltage obtained through the secondary winding of the transformer 23 is finally raised in an appropriate manner by a chain of elements 27, known per se, each of which doubles the input voltage. The required high voltage can thus be obtained at two output terminals 28 and 29 of this circuit 19. Obviously when the cell 10 is applied to a discharge conduit of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, both the transformer 20 and the rectifier 21 are omitted from the circuit 19. The two terminals 28 and 29 are connected to anode 12 (figure 2) and cathode 13 respectively of cell 10. This can be excited at a voltage between 30,000 and 70,000 volts, preferably of the order of 50,000 volts. This voltage generates a discharge of electrons in which the electrons reach high speeds but lower than that of the light by means of which they do not become photons. With a voltage in the range indicated above, the emitted electrons travel in a straight line at a speed between one fifth and one half the speed of light. With the voltage of 50,000 volts, this speed is in the order of 100,000 km / sec. - li ¬ when the cell 10 is excited at this voltage, the negative electrons are emitted through the tips of the elements 31 or the outer edges 16 of the teeth 18, generating the electron beams 30 which are substantially radial and divergent. In the variant of Figure 2, the beams 30 are emitted by the elements 31 to create the ionization zone 11. In the variant of Figures 3 and 4, the beam 30 emitted by the edge 16 of a tooth 18 intersects the beams 30. emitted by the edges 16 of the adjacent teeth 18 by means of which an ionization zone 11 is created. The zone 11 constitutes an electron barrier that acts as a molecular filter through which it is forced to pass the gases to be purified. In addition, the helical shape of the edges 16 of the teeth 18 means that the bundles 30 are generated which are directed in two slightly inclined directions in directions opposite to the plane of the disc 13 (Figure 4) whereby the ionization zone 11 assumes a corresponding thickness along the path of the gases. The direct collision of electrons at high-speed with complex molecules 5 is such as to break the peripheral electron bonds of molecules, dividing molecules into simpler molecules or into elementary particles that no longer pollute and have taken a load negative electrostatic Collisions with electrons also transform any simple molecule of chemical elements into non-polluting allotropes or groups of atoms, allotropic, that is, into elements that differ in their physical and chemical properties. The high-speed of the electrons also attack the biological cells, for example pollens, bacteria and the like, which generally have a positive electrostatic charge and are neutralized, transforming them into neutral molecules. Consequently, the cell 10 is also suitable for sterilizing and revitalizing the air of enclosed public, industrial or hospital envirnts. It is known that negative ions also have a stimulating action on the respiratory tract and blood circulation. In fact they reduce the hormone serotonin present in the blood of mammals which is the main cause of physical depression. In addition, this hormone stimulates the production of red corpuscles and reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. The interception of the molecules of the ambient air with the electron barrier thus generates a stream of purified air formed by negative ions and oxygen-free ions at the outlet of conduit 9. The stream, thus purified, can then be similar to mountain air in which the concentration of negative ions can reach values of 109 per cubic meter. The air, thus revitalized, and consequently enriched with oxygen, can be used for the supply of air to industrial burners or internal combustion engines, thus increasing the efficiency of combustion or of the engine. In addition, this revitalized air can be used in any other process in which oxygen is required. Thus, it is clear that the described apparatus can be used to carry out a purification method including a stage in which a gas mixture is made to flow along a path, a stage in which an electron discharge is generated. , traveling the electrons at a rate such as to create an ionization zone in the gas mixture in transit, and a step in which a series of the electron beams 30 is directed to intersect the flow of the mixture by means of which the Peripheral electron bonds of the molecules and / or cells of the polluting substances are broken by collision with the electrons in the free discharge stage. From the foregoing, the advantages of the method and apparatus of the invention over the prior art will be clear. Truly the method allows gaseous mixtures with a wide range of pollutants to be purified. Since the purification process is purely physical, the interruptions due to the accumulation of waste that would require that periodic intervention or other elimination treatment not be caused. In addition, the apparatus can be designed for a wide range of applications, be it industrial, for transportation means and for closed locations such as hospitals and public buildings. It is understood that the method and apparatus described can be modified and improved in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, the anode of the cell may be prismatic. In addition, the nicked disc can be replaced by a series of separate elements of different geometrical shapes installed in order to emit electron beams that cross in the interception zone. For example, the anode 12 may be in a ring shape and / or may be offset with respect to the cathode 13 so that the electron beam forms a type of umbrella from the cathode 13 to the anode 12. In addition the cathode 13 may be formed of two or more disks 13 parallel to each other, possibly with different diameters and with different numbers of teeth or other points-like elements in order to increase the thickness and effectiveness of the ionization zone 11 for the interception of the molecules.

The cathode may also be formed by a metal wire brush connected to a cylindrical or helical support or otherwise supported. Finally, the anode can be formed from a plate of rectangular or other shape and the cathode can be formed from a brush having a shape corresponding to that of the anode with the metal elements directed substantially towards the anode.

Claims (13)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. A method for purifying a gaseous mixture that includes molecules and / or cells of toxic or contaminating substances, including a step of passing a gaseous mixture flow along a path, and a step of generating an electron discharge in said path. path to create a zone (11) of ionization of the mixture, wherein the electrons form a series of electron beams (30) directed to intersect the flow of the mixture, characterized in that said electron discharge is obtained with a voltage between 30,000 and 70,000 volts to cause the electrons of said beams (30) to travel at speeds between one fifth and one half the speed of light to break the peripheral electron bonds of the molecules and / or cells collided with said substances, thus producing non-polluting allotropic elements. A method according to claim 1, in which the gas mixture comes in the form of industrial production processes, characterized in that said substances include molecules of one or more of the following substances: heavy metals, lead, zinc, boron, chlorinated hydrocarbons, arsenic, phosphorus. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the gas mixture comprises gases and discharge from combustion plants of internal combustion engines, characterized in that said substances include molecules of one or more of the following substances: hydrocarbons, sulfur, carbon monoxides, nitric oxide, carbon dioxide or sulfur oxides, benzene. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the gaseous mixture comes from a closed environment of plant culture or animal breeding, characterized in that said substances include harmful substances and / or pollens. 5. A method according to claim 1, in which the gas mixture is constituted by stale air from closed environments of public, industrial or hospital, characterized in that said substances include dust, carbon dioxide, bacteria or the like, being the negative ions and being adapted to revitalize and sterilize the stale air. 6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is used to enrich the oxygen in the air supplied to burners of industrial plants, internal combustion engines or in some other - 1! process in which oxygen is required. 7. The apparatus for the purification of a gaseous mixture including molecules and / or cells of toxic or contaminating substances, comprising means of transport (9) for transporting the mixture along a predetermined path, an ionization cell (10). ) housed in said path within said conveying means (9), said cell (10) including a substantially cylindrical anode (12) and a central emitting cathode comprising at least one disk (13), said anode and cathode being energized by a source of electrical energy (19) to cause an electron discharge to create an ionization zone (11), wherein the electrons form a series of electron beams (30) directed to intersect the flow of the mixture, characterized in that the emitting disc (13) is provided with a series of elements in the form of point (18, 31) to eject correspondingly said series of beams (30) to assume corresponding forms to the shapes of said anode (12) and cathode and their mutual positions, to form an interception barrier that acts as a filter for said flow, said energy source causing said discharge of electrons by means of a voltage between 30,000 and 70,000 volts , to cause the electrons of said beams (30) to travel at speeds between one-tenth and one-half the speed of light to break the peripheral electron bonds of the molecules and / or cells collided with said substances, thus producing non-polluting allotropic elements. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the elements of said disk (13) are filiform metal elements (31) in a brush installation. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the anode is cylindrical and the elements of said disk (13) are formed of a series of teeth (18) with edges (16), the electron beam (30) emitted by the edge (16) of each tooth (18) to partially intersect the beam (30) emitted by the edges (16) of the adjacent teeth (18). The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the teeth (18) have a helical shape by means of which the beam (30) that emerges the edges (16) of the teeth (18) are tilted in opposite directions to the disc (13), forming an ionization zone (11) of considerable thickness along the path of the mixture. The apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that said power source includes an electronic circuit (19) adapted to the output of said voltage in the form of a rectified voltage of pulses. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the electronic circuit (19) includes an oscillator (22) supplied with direct current and installed to drive a transformer (23) to raise the voltage output by the oscillator (22). The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the electronic circuit (19) further includes at least one element (27) for doubling the voltage to raise the voltage output by the transformer (23).