IL101565A

IL101565A - Apparatus for the production of defined ionized gases or ionization products

Info

Publication number: IL101565A
Application number: IL10156592A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Goldstein Naum
Priority date: 1991-04-12
Filing date: 1992-04-10
Publication date: 1995-03-30
Also published as: JPH06506791A; AU1586292A; EP0579680B1; WO1992019030A1; DE59201922D1; DE4112459A1; EP0579680A1; IL101565A0; ATE121229T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the production of defined ionised gases or ionisation products. To provide such a device in which the production of harmful by-products is minimised, it is proposed that the device have the following features: a tubular hollow electrode connectable to the gas supply line as an external electrode (3); at least one internal electrode (6) which affects the entire hollow space of the external electrode (3) in the region of its arrangement; a potential difference at the internal electrode (6) and the external electrode (3) of 2 to 3 kV, whereby a potential difference of 1 kV at the most is possible between the internal and external electrodes; and a gas flow rate of under 100 ml/min/mm?2.

Description

bv ικ a»*mm θΌ,η'η QTA bv Tm'i? ipnn Apparatus for the production of defined ionized gases or ionization products Dr. Naum GOLDSTEIN C. 86020 Device for the production of defined, ionized gases or of ionization products, respectively.

The invention concerns a device for the production of defined, ionized gases or of ionization products, respectively, and the lossfree transportation thereof.

The researches of the biological activities of charged particles of air ions point to a certain potential of its general biological, physiological and therapeutical effect. Until now, it had been assumed that the biological effect of the air ions was realized by regulation of the membrane charge of the erythrocytes und the action on the central regulation systems up to the brain and the internal secretion glands. The. application of air ions has been known, for example, for the treatment of diseases, such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, hypertonia, etc. Known already is the production and examination of oxygen anionic radicals. However, the production processes are mostly unsuitable for therapeutical and physiological applications .

In the FR-PS 2 202 625, a process is described, which makes it possible to produce gaseous ions by a corona-discharge. However, due to the large diameter of the supply pipe, a large volume stream is created. As a result thereof, there can be only a relatively small production of oxygen anionic radicals. In addition, due to the high flowing speed, a relatively high tension is required, which creates a comparatively large quantity of harmful byproducts, e.g ozone. This process requires, therefore, the prior ionization of nitrogen, by means of which, the oxygen will be subsequently ionized.

When transporting ionized products over long distances, a high loss of ionic concentration often occurs.

Consequently, the aim of the invention is to create a device for the production of defined, ionized gases or of ionization products, respectively, especially of oxygen anionic radicals, while minimizing, at the same time, the production of harmful byproducts, as well as the almost lossfree transportation thereof.

The aim is achieved according to the invention by the identifying part of Claim 1. Additional advantageous developments of the invention arise from the secondary and subclaims .

The resulting defined ionized gases or gaseous products have a physiological efficacy hitherto unknown. This is attributed, in particular, to the relatively high concentration of oxygen anionic radicals produced. Besides, no, or respectively, only small quantities of byproducts, e.g. ozone, are produced.

In the figure description, some preferred forms of execution are described in detail. Thereby, all described and/or figuratively represented characteristics, separately or in any combination desired, form the object of the invention, independent of its summary in the claims and the return reference thereof.

Shown in Figure 1 is a device for the production of ionized gases with an internal electrode; Figure 2 is a device for the production of ionized gases with two internal electrodes; Figure 3 is a second form of execution of the device as per Figure 2; Figure 4 is a form of execution of the device as per Figure 1 ; Figure 4a is a top view of the device as per Figure 4; Figure 5 is another form of execution of the device as per Figure 1 ; Figure 6 is a device for the production of ionized gases with an assembled hollow electrode and two internal electrodes; Figure 7 is another possible form of execution of the invention ; Figure 7a is a view of the device as per Figure 7 in the visual direction of the gas flow.

Figure 1 shows a device according to the invention for the production of defined, ionized gases or of ionization products, respectively, whereby a gas flow to be ionized 1 enters a pipe-shaped cylindrical hollow electrode 3. At the single-piece formed hollow electrode 3, a high tension, supplied by a supply point 2, is established. This high tension stimulates energetically the gas molecules flowing through, before they reach the range of the internal electrode 4. As a result of the prior stimulation, it is possible to reduce the corona-tension to 2,5 up to 4 kV, whereby the formation of byproducts, e.g. ozone, reaches values which will practically not exceed the values common in nature.

- - The actual corona discharge occurs at the internal electrode 4. The external electrode 3 and the internal electrode 4 lie on the same, or respectively, the internal electrode on a lower, negative electric potential. At least a subsection of the internal electrode 4 lies in close proximity to the gas exit opening 9 of the external electrode 3.

In the execution example according to Figure 1 , the internal electrode 4 is formed in a single piece and consists of a wire-shaped range 5 and a needle-shaped range 6, which is located directly at the gas exit opening 9, in order to minimize, as far as possible, the loss of concentration of ionized gas molecules. The size and form of the internal electrode 4 is chosen in relation to the internal range of the pipe-shaped external electrode 3 in such a manner as to enable it to ionize a substantial part of the gas molecules flowing through it, so that defined ionization products will develop. The concentration, as well as the qualitative composition, may be controlled also by way of the flow speed of the gas molecules. The lower the flow speed in the indicated range, the higher the concentration of the ionized products, e.g. oxygen anionical radicals. In the case of a negative potential difference between external electrode 3 and internal electrode 4, the internal electrode 4 is held by support 7, made of insulated material. As a protection against current strokes, the external electrode is wrapped into an insulated protection against accidental contact 8.

In Figures 2 and 3, a device for the production of defined, ionized gases or of ionization products, respectively, is described, which consist of a pipe-shaped, cylindrical hollow electrode 3 and of two internal electrodes each. One - - internal electrode 10 each is installed in the gas entry range, the other internal electrode 11, 12 is installed in the gas exit range. The internal electrode of entry 10 serves as additional pre-stimulation of the gas molecules. Thereby, the production of defined ionization products can be achieved in a wide flow speed range of the gases, whereby the formation of byproaucts will continue not to exceed the values occurring in nature. by the conical shape of the external electrode 3 in Figure 3, a different flow speed is achieved at the internal entry electrode 10 and the exit electrode 12. The ratios of the entry and exit surfaces of the hollow electrode 3, as per Figure 3, are in a range of max. 10 : 1. A ratio of 2 : 1 and 3 : 1 proved to be of special advantage.

In the execution examples described above, the internal electrode 4 is formed either as a metal tip or as a wire lattice. Instead of the wire lattice, of course, also any other equivalent form of execution may be chosen. An eventual possibility would be, for instance, the use of a close meshed metal net or a perforated metal foil as internal electrode.

Figures 4 and 4a show a further possibility of execution of the internal electrode as wire lattice. Here, the wire lattice is formed in such a manner that single wires are each arranged angularly on several parallel levels. The number of wires used is variable. In Figure 4, four wires (13 a, b, c, d) are used. Figure 4a shows in top vision the developing wire lattice form.

Thereby, the diameter of the wire forming the wire lattice ranges preferably between 0,05 and 0,3 mm. It is of advantage to arrange the individual wires, each of them forming an electrode system, vertically to the gas flow 1.

Figure 5 describes an additional design form of the internal electrode 4.

The internal electrode consists of a base 14 and a cylindrical electrode body, which may be equipped, for instance with a round or a pointed end. The base is connected to the external electrode 3 at the gas entry side, and is equipped with openings 16, through which the gas flow enters the external electrode 3. On the surface of the electrode body 15, there are electrically conductive metal particles 17, which may be fixed, e.g., magnetically, to the internal electrode. By means of a large number of metal particles, the high tension may be further reduced, while the concentration of the ionization products remains unchanged .

Figure 6 describes a device for the ionization of gases, whereby the external electrode 3 is not formed in one piece, but subdivided into several electrode ranges. In the execution example, an external electrode with three electrode ranges 17, 18, 19 is used. The gas to be ionized 1 enters the external electrode range 18 at the entry range. The external electrode range is connected to a supply point U . The gas molecules pre-stimulated in such a manner, will pass a first internal electrode 21 , lattice-shaped or perforated, respectively, and will reach a second optional electrode range 1&. At this optional electrode range, a voltage U is provided, which differs from U . Before 2 1 leaving the external electrode 3, the gas mixture will flow through a third external electrode range 20. In this range, a second internal electrode 22 is installed on the exit side. The range is supplied with a voltage . All external electrode ranges 18, 19, 20 are separated from each other by insulation body 23. As insulation material, Teflon is used, for example. With this variant, it is possible to improve further the pre-stimulation of the gas, for example, by a higher negative potential with U > U > U or 1 2 3 U > U . 2 3 In all execution examples, the use of metal, especially platinum, gold or copper, is preferred. For further reducing the ozone which developed, cobaltsalt-coated or cobalt-alloyed electrodes, i.e. needles, lattice, chips and inner surfaces, may be used. Cobaltsalts will cause ozone to disintegrate into oxygen.

The devices of the kind described above will especially serve inhalation purposes. To this end, oxygen will be used preferentially as gas. For the production of a sufficient quantity of oxygen anionical radicals, for example an oxygen volume flow or an air volume flow, respectively, of less than 5 ml/min., preferably of 1-3 ml/min., will be sufficient, if a hollow electrode with a cross section 2 surface of 1 mm will be used.

The device for the ionization of gases, according to the invention, can be used also for sterilizing. ch a device is described by Figures 7 and - - A gas flow enters, at the entry range 24 of a pipe-shaped, cylindrical exterior electrode 3, into this electrode. On the side opposite the entry range, the external electrode 3 is closed by a wall 25. The external electrode 3 is connected to a supply point 3, supplying high tension of 5 to 12 kV. A fibrous internal electrode 26 is fixed at its one end to a support 7, and at its other end to the wall 25. Carbon is preferentially chosen as material of the internal electrode 26, so that only minor ozone formation and metal emissions can develop at the high tension applied. Within the range of the internal electrode 26, several holes 27 are set in the longitudinal range of the hollow electrode 3.

The entering gas is ionized at the internal electrode 26. The finished ionization product exits through the holes 27. Thereby, the ratio of the diameter of the electrode and each of the holes will preferentially range between 1 : 1 ,5 and 1 : 4. Instead of a row of holes, it is also possible to provide for an outlet slit or an outlet opening equivalent to it.

The device will be applied, for example, for the sterilization of food stuffs and eventually of packing containers .

A further preferential field of application is the sterilization as well as keeping in sterilized condition of medical and dental instruments, of medical work stations, as well as of hollow bodies which are used, for example, in medicine .

Therefore, it is possible also to sterilize on the spot, for instance operating tables.

The device is likewise applicable for the sterilization of the gas environment in the production of cosmetics.

In principle, the device is applicable for the sterilization of organic material impaired in its use-value properties by the effect of micro-organisms.

Due to the application-technical danger potential, the use of pure oxygen for the sterilization seems to be less suitable than nitrogen. In this case, for instance, the use of air is the most economical solution (e.g. for sterilizing inside refrigerators).

Furthermore, it is possible to make provisions for a spraying device (not shown) within the range of the gas outlet opening 9 or the outlet holes 27, respectively, of the external electrode 3. Such a device will find preferential application in sterilization cabinets. An increased sterilization effect may be achieved by the additional use of a hydrogen peroxide solution, the concentration thereof preferentially being less than 3%, which will be mixed, by means of the spraying device, into the gas flow, containing the ionization product.

- - List of Reference Notes 1 ) Gas Flow 2 ) Supply point 3) External electrode 4) Internal electrode 5) Wire-shaped range of the internal electrode 6) Needle-shaped range of the internal electrode 7) Supports 8) Insulated protection against accidental contact 9) Gas exit opening 10 ) Internal electrode of entry 11) Exit electrode (lattice-shaped) 12) Exit electrode (needle-shaped) 13 a) Wire-shaped internal electrode 13 b) " 13 c) 13 d) 14) Base 15 ) Electrode body 16 ) Opening 17) Metal particles 18) External electrode range 1 g j it » II 20) " 21 ) Internal electrode 22) 23) Insulation body 24) Electrode entry range 25) Wall 26) Internal electrode 27) Hole

Claims

1. 01565/2 11 Claims Device for the production of defined ionized gases or of ionization products, respectively, characterized by the following characteristics: a) a pipe-shaped hollow electrode, connectable to a supply for the gas, as external electrode; b) at least one internal electrode, which influences within the range of its installation, the entire hollow space of the external electrode; c) a potential difference at the internal electrode and external electrode ranging from 2.000 to 3.000 volt, wherby the potential difference between the internal and the external electrode is maximally 1.000 volt; d) a flow speed of the gases of less than lOOml/min/mm2.

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that two internal electrodes are installed one behind the other in gas flow direction.

3. Device according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that a) the external pipe-shaped hollow electrode, which is connectable to a supply for the gas, is equipped with openings on it's lateral side and is closed on that side which is opposite to the gas supply; 101565/2 12 b) a fibrous internal electrode is installed within the range of the opening and in longitudinal direction of the external electrode, in a manner which allows the gases to flow past the internal electrode before exiting from the openings.

4. Device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized by the fact that the pipe-shaped external electrode is formed in one piece .

5. Device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized by the fact that the pipe-shaped external electrode is composed of several part ranges (18, 19, 20).

6. Device according to Claim 5 characterized by the fact that at each of the part ranges, there is a voltage (UX U2, U3) .

7. Device according to one of Claims 1, 2 or 4 to 6 characterized by the fact that the internal electrode is formed as a metal tip.

8. Device according to one of Claims 1, 2 or 4 to 6 characterized by the fact that the internal electrode is formed as a wire lattice.

9. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 characterized by the fact that conductive metal particles are fixed on the surface of the internal electrode .

10. Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 characterized by the fact that the pipe- shaped external electrode and the internal electrode consist of cobaltsalt-coated or cobal -alloyed metal . 101565/2 13 Device according to one of the Claims 1 to 10 characterized by the fact that within the effect range of the ionization products, which lies within the outlet range of the external electrode, a provision -ie- has been made for a spraying device, by means of which it is possible to mix a liquid into the ionized gas. Device according to Claim 3 characterized by the fact that the internal electrode consists of carbon fibres . For the Appl icants DR. REINHOLS COHN AND PARTNERS BY: