JPH11156185A - Gas reactor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a plasma distribution uniform through rotating an electrode and at the same time, structurally increase the use durability and secure a long device life, in a gas reactor based on the synthetic effect between a plasma reaction and a catalytic reaction. SOLUTION: The gas reactor 10 which triggers a gas reaction by a collaborative action between a plasma discharge and a catalytic reaction is formed of a container which sections a gas reaction space, a first electrode 13 which is rotatable in the container, a magnetic field generation part which rotates the first electrode 13 by generating a rotary magnetic field and is provided outside the container, a second electrode 13 which generates the plasma discharge in a space between the first electrode 13 and the internal wall of the container, and a catalyst arranged in the space where the plasma discharge is generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a gas reactor for gas synthesis or gas decomposition, and more particularly to a gas reactor for synthesizing or decomposing gas by plasma discharge and catalytic reaction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In today's highly industrialized societies, various pollutants harm human health. Examples of such pollutants include pollutant gases such as NOx, COx, SOx, and the like emitted from automobile engines. In order to prevent harm to the human body, it is necessary to decompose such polluting gas into harmless gas before being discharged to the atmosphere.

[0003] US Patent Nos. 5,474,747 and 5,492,698, owned by the inventor and co-inventor of the present invention, disclose a gas reactor that effectively decomposes pollutant gases by the synergistic effect of plasma discharge and catalytic reaction. This addresses the problem described above. US Patent 5,474,
No. 747 discloses a gas reactor comprising a reed using a catalyst such as rhodium. Glow discharge is generated between the leads,
By causing the plasma reaction, the gas is decomposed by a synergy effect with the catalytic reaction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,698 discloses a gas reactor which utilizes the same principle of synergy between the plasma reaction and the catalytic reaction, but in which the fan rotates to purify the gas more effectively. This fan has a blade (at least one blade) having a catalyst layer on its surface, and generates a glow discharge between the inner wall of the fan container and the blade.

The above-described gas reactor is designed for gas decomposition. However, the combination of plasma reaction and catalytic reaction not only decomposes gas,
It is also effective for gas synthesis in which another gas is synthesized from a plurality of gases. The inventor of the present invention provides a reactor that performs gas decomposition or gas synthesis by using a synergy effect between plasma discharge and catalytic reaction as described above in PACT (Plasma And Catal).
ist Technology) This is called a reactor.

[0005]

In a PACT reactor, a gas activated by being exposed to plasma touches a catalyst, and a reaction which is unlikely to occur by itself occurs. The product can be obtained. In order to make this more industrially useful, it is necessary to make the reaction proceed efficiently by distributing the plasma uniformly in the fluid space. In order to realize this, it is necessary to maintain the discharge gap accurately and uniformly. However, even if a considerable accuracy is secured, the discharge location tends to be partially biased. In order to make the plasma uniform,
Moving the electrodes is most effective. When the electrode is moved, even if a discharge occurs, the spark disappears due to the movement of the electrode, and a new discharge starts at another place. By repeating this, the plasma distribution can be made uniform as a whole.

[0006] Moving the electrodes in this manner also affects the chemical reactions that occur. In the reaction experiment using methane as a raw material, it is found that when the electrode does not move, saturated hydrocarbon-based products are mainly obtained, and when the electrode moves, unsaturated hydrocarbon-based products are obtained. ing.
The easiest way to move the electrode is to rotate the electrode in the gas reaction vessel, but at this time, it is necessary to ensure the life of the connecting portion that supplies power to the rotating electrode. In addition, since the rotating bearings, motors, and the like are corroded by contact with the reaction gas, it is necessary to prevent such corrosion and ensure a long life.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a gas reactor based on a synergy effect between a plasma reaction and a catalytic reaction, in which the electrodes can be rotated to make the plasma distribution uniform and the durability is high. An object is to provide a structure that ensures a long life.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a gas reactor for causing a gas reaction by a cooperative operation of a plasma discharge and a catalytic reaction comprises: a container defining a gas reaction space; A first electrode rotatable inside, a magnetic field generating unit provided outside the container to rotate the first electrode by generating a rotating magnetic field, and a magnetic field generator between the first electrode and the inner wall of the container. It is characterized by including a second electrode for generating a plasma discharge in a space and a catalyst disposed in the space where the plasma discharge is generated.

In the above invention, since the first electrode inside the container is rotated by the rotating magnetic field applied from the outside of the container, it is possible to prevent the motor or the like from being corroded by contact with the reaction gas. By rotating the first electrode to make the distribution of plasma uniform, an efficient gas reaction can be obtained. For example, when methane gas is used as a raw material, it is possible to stop the first electrode to mainly obtain a saturated hydrocarbon-based product, and to rotate the first electrode to generate an unsaturated hydrocarbon-based product. You can mainly get things.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect, the magnetic field generator generates the rotating magnetic field by a first permanent magnet rotated by a motor. The first electrode is characterized by being rotated by rotation of a second permanent magnet magnetically coupled to the first permanent magnet. In the above invention, the first electrode can be rotated by the magnetic coupling.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect, the rotation of the first electrode is performed by a bearing formed of a material resistant to the gas reaction. It is characterized by being supported. In the above invention, a durable gas reactor can be provided by using a bearing formed of a corrosive material.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the third aspect, the bearing is a ball bearing made of a ceramic ball. In the above-mentioned invention, a durable gas reactor can be provided by using a ceramic ball bearing. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the fourth aspect,
The apparatus may further include a gas flow suppressing member formed of an inactive material and provided in a path through which gas flows through the ball bearing.

In the above invention, the gas flowing through the ball bearing is discharged without passing through the plasma discharge space. Therefore, by providing the gas flow suppressing member in this path, the gas does not pass through the reaction space. The gas amount can be minimized. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect, the catalyst includes a wire-shaped catalyst disposed in a space where the plasma discharge occurs.

In the above invention, by providing a wire-shaped catalyst having a large surface area, the probability of gas contact with the catalyst is increased, and an efficient gas reaction can proceed. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the sixth aspect, the wire-shaped catalyst includes a terminal for applying a voltage from the outside of the container, and the electrons and ions fly by the voltage. It is characterized by functioning as a grid electrode for controlling.

In the above invention, the probability that the gas comes into contact with the catalyst can be increased by causing the wire catalyst to further function as a grid electrode and stirring the electrons and ions to disturb the gas flow. An eighth aspect of the present invention is the gas reactor according to the first aspect, further comprising a wire-shaped grid electrode provided in a space where the plasma discharge occurs.

In the above invention, the probability that the gas contacts the catalyst can be increased by providing the wire-shaped grid electrode and stirring the electrons and ions to disturb the gas flow. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect, a permanent magnet for forming a magnetic field in a space where the plasma discharge occurs is further included.

In the above-mentioned invention, by forming a magnetic field in the discharge space, it is possible to provide an electron / ion stirring action and increase the probability of mutual collision. Claim 1
In a gas reactor according to the ninth aspect of the present invention,
The apparatus may further include a magnetic wire provided in a space where the plasma discharge occurs.

In the above invention, a magnetic wire is provided in the discharge space where the magnetic field is formed to cause a change in the magnetic field, thereby enhancing the action of stirring electrons / ions and further increasing the probability of mutual collision. You can do it. According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the tenth aspect, the magnetic wire includes a portion having a large diameter and a portion having a small diameter which are alternately arranged. .

In the above invention, the magnetic field converging portion can be formed by providing the wire with a portion having a large diameter and a portion having a small diameter which are alternately arranged, so that the stirring of electrons / ions can be performed. The effect can be further enhanced, and the probability of mutual collision can be further increased. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect, the second electrode includes a first part and a second part, and the first part and the second part are connected to each other. By applying a voltage between the first and second portions, the first
Between the first portion and the first electrode and between the second portion and the first electrode.
The plasma discharge is generated by causing a current to flow through the space where the plasma discharge occurs between the electrodes and the electrodes.

In the above invention, a voltage is applied to the first portion and the second portion of the second electrode, and the first electrode is applied between the first portion and the second portion. Since the discharge current is caused to flow through the first electrode, there is no need to provide a power supply unit that is in physical contact with the first electrode. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect, the magnetic field generating unit includes an induction motor magnetic pole for generating the rotating magnetic field and an induction motor coil, and is based on the principle of an induction motor. The method is characterized in that the first electrode is rotated.

In the above invention, the first electrode can be rotated by the principle of the induction motor. Claim 1
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect,
The first electrode floats in the container by the pressure of gas flowing in the container.

In the above invention, the first pressure is controlled by the gas pressure.
Since the electrode floats, there is no need to provide a bearing that may be corroded. In the invention of claim 15, claim 1
5. The gas reactor according to 4, wherein the surface of the first electrode facing the inner wall of the container and the inner wall of the container are formed in a tapered shape.

In the above invention, by using the tapered container and the tapered first electrode, the first electrode can be easily levitated by the gas flow. According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the fifteenth aspect, a sensor for detecting a flying height of the first electrode, a valve for adjusting a flow rate of the gas, The apparatus may further include a servo circuit that controls the valve based on the detection result to adjust the flow rate of the gas.

In the above invention, by controlling the gas flow rate by servo control, the first electrode can be controlled to an appropriate height to realize a stable discharge. According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect, the first electrode floats in the vessel by a repulsive force of a permanent magnet. In the above invention, since the first electrode floats in the container due to the repulsive force of the permanent magnet, there is no need to provide a bearing that may corrode.

According to the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the present invention, a sensor for detecting a flying height of the first electrode and a first magnetic field are generated by generating a magnetic field. It further includes an electromagnet that changes the flying height of the electrode, and a servo circuit that controls the electromagnet based on the detection result of the sensor to adjust the flying height. In the above invention, by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field by the servo control, the first electrode can be controlled to an appropriate height, and a stable discharge can be realized.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the gas reactor according to the first aspect, the magnetic field generating unit generates the rotating magnetic field by a permanent magnet rotated by a motor,
The first electrode is rotated by the principle of an induction motor. In the above invention, by generating a rotating magnetic field by the permanent magnet rotated by the motor, the first electrode can be rotated by the principle of the induction motor.

When the first electrode is rotated based on the principle of the induction motor using the rotating magnetic field, a force in the rotating direction is applied to the first electrode and a force for moving the first electrode away from the fixed magnetic pole. Is added. Therefore, the center of rotation of the first electrode is automatically adjusted by the force for moving away. In the invention of claim 20, claim 1
In the gas reactor as described above, the first electrode is levitated in the vessel, and a sensor for detecting a degree of eccentricity of the first electrode, and a sensor for detecting the degree of eccentricity of the first electrode, the first electrode being generated by generating a magnetic field. It further includes an adjusting electromagnet for changing the center of rotation, and a servo circuit for controlling the adjusting electromagnet based on the detection result of the sensor to adjust the center of rotation.

In the above invention, the intensity of the magnetic field is adjusted by the servo control, whereby the center of rotation of the first electrode is controlled, and a stable discharge can be realized.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a gas reactor according to the present invention. Gas reactor 1 of FIG.
0 denotes a dielectric cylinder 11, an external electrode 12, an internal electrode 13, a rotating cylinder 14, a permanent magnet 15, a permanent magnet 16, a motor 17,
Gears 18a and 18b, cup-shaped yoke 19, bearings 20a and 20b, gas flow suppressing parts 21 and 22, protective cylinder 23, rotation center shaft 24, upper container sealing part 25, lower container sealing part 26, exchange cylinder fixing nut 27, Gas inlet pipe 2
8, including a gas discharge pipe 29, a slip ring 30, a spring 31, a brush 32, and a central member 33.

Mainly, the dielectric cylinder 11, the upper container sealing portion 25,
The lower container sealing portion 26 functions as a container forming a closed space, and a gas reaction is performed in this space.
A catalyst layer is provided on the surface of the internal electrode 13. The external electrode 12 is spirally wound around the surface of the dielectric cylinder 11,
Discharge is performed between the external electrode 12 and the internal electrode 13 via the dielectric cylinder 11. Discharge through the dielectric can easily realize a state close to glow discharge with spread. In order to observe the discharge generated inside the dielectric cylinder 11, the external electrode 1
For each two turns, a slight gap is provided. By observing the color of the discharge from the gap between the external electrodes 12, it is possible to evaluate the gas reaction.

The internal electrode 13 is fixed to the rotary cylinder 14 by an exchange cylinder fixing nut 27. In this embodiment, the internal electrode 13 can be exchanged by removing the exchange cylinder fixing nut 27. The rotating cylinder 14 is supported by the center member 33 via bearings 20a and 20b, which are spherical bearings made of a corrosion-resistant material such as a ceramic ball. Instead of the ball bearing, a sliding bearing made of corrosion-resistant copper or a noble metal may be used, as long as the bearing is made of a corrosion-resistant material.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, bearings 20a and 20b made of ceramic balls are used. When the bearing is made of an insulator, the internal electrodes 13 are used.
It is necessary to provide a means for supplying power to the power supply. This power supply means includes a spring 31, a brush 32, and a slip ring 30 provided between the center member 33 and the rotary cylinder 14. The brush 32 is urged against the slip ring 30 by a spring 31 that supports the center member 33.
Thereby, an electrical connection between the center member 33 and the rotary cylinder 14 is made. Therefore, for example, from the rotation center shaft 24, the center member 31, the brush 32, the slip ring 30,
The power is supplied to the internal electrode 13 via the rotary cylinder 14.

The motor 17 rotates the cup-shaped yoke 19 via gears 18a and 18b. A permanent magnet 16 is provided on the inner wall of the cup-shaped yoke 19. Further, a permanent magnet 15 is provided at a position corresponding to the rotating cylinder 14.
The permanent magnet 15 and the permanent magnet 16 are
Via, a magnetic coupling is established. Therefore, when the cup-shaped yoke 19 is rotated, the rotating cylinder 14 inside the lower container closed part 26 is rotated by the magnetic coupling. Specifically, it is preferable that the permanent magnets 15 and 16 have a ring shape and are magnetized in multiple poles. As a result, the opposing poles of the outer ring and the inner ring attract each other and can transmit torque. As described above, since the lower vessel sealing portion 26 exists between the permanent magnet 15 and the permanent magnet 16, it is possible to seal the internal gas reaction space while transmitting torque.

Further, the leakage magnetic flux on the back side is
Since it is transmitted to the next pole by 9, efficiency can be increased. The input gas is introduced from a gas introduction pipe 28, and is decomposed / synthesized by a gas reaction in the gas reaction space,
The gas is discharged from the gas discharge pipe 29. In the gas reaction space,
The gas is activated by the plasma discharge between the inner electrode 13 and the outer electrode 12, and the gas reaction proceeds by the action of the catalyst of the catalyst layer.

As can be inferred from FIG.
The gas introduced from 8 has a path that flows between the central member 33 and the rotary cylinder 14 via the bearing 20a, and is further discharged from the gas discharge pipe 29 via the bearing 20b. This path is a bypass that does not pass through the discharge space. Therefore, in order to minimize the amount of gas flowing through this path, gas flow suppression units 21 and 22 are provided. The gas flow suppressing section 22 narrows the gap between the rotary cylinder 14 and the lower vessel sealing section 26 with a member of an inactive material including labyrinth, for example, acetal resin. Gas flow suppression unit 2
1 is also made of the same material and minimizes the gas flow passing through the bypass path.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a second embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention. The gas reactor according to the second embodiment is configured to increase the surface area of the catalyst for promoting the gas reaction. In FIG. 2, only the same constituent elements as those in FIG. 1 are referred to by the same numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. As described above, the PACT reactor is based on a synergy effect between a discharge and a catalyst. The reaction efficiency of this reactor is determined by the probability that the gas will pass through the discharge and the probability that the gas will contact the catalyst.
In the gas reactor of FIG. 1, since the catalyst is provided as a catalyst layer on the surface of the internal electrode 13, the probability that the gas contacts the catalyst is not sufficient.

The gas reactor 10A of FIG. 2 is further provided with a wire 40 disposed near the center of the discharge space with respect to the gas reactor 10 of FIG. The wire 40 is arranged, for example, in a spiral shape, and in FIG. 2, only a part of the wire portion crossing in the horizontal direction of the drawing is shown as 40a. In practice, the wires 40 all traverse the transverse direction of the drawing, but only a portion is shown for clarity of the drawing. A catalyst layer is provided on the surface of the wire 40, whereby the surface area of the catalyst is increased as compared with the case of FIG. 1, and the efficiency of the gas reaction can be improved.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration for accurately arranging the wire 40 at a predetermined position in the discharge space. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the wire 40 includes a core wire 52 and a coated catalyst 53. It is apparent that the core wire 52 itself may be formed of a catalyst without providing the coating catalyst 53. The wire 40 is, for example, as shown in FIGS.
It can be fixed by a comb-shaped holder 51. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3C, the wire 40 may be fixed by weaving the wire 40 in a mesh with the holding member 55.

In FIG. 2, a wire 40 is drawn out as a wire drawing terminal 41. This is because the wire 40 has a different role from the increase in the catalyst surface area. That is, the wire lead-out terminal 41 is provided to function as a grid electrode by applying an appropriate potential to the wire 40. When observing the discharge in the configuration of FIG. 1, the discharge is in the form of a fine spark, and the gap between the sparks is relatively wide, so that the ratio of the gas activated by the discharge is not sufficient. With only the gas introduction pressure, the gas becomes a laminar flow, and some gas is discharged without touching the catalyst. By rotating the internal electrode 13, a stirring action for disturbing the air flow can be obtained, but it is preferable to further enhance the stirring action.

In FIG. 2, by applying an appropriate potential to the wire lead-out terminal 41 as described above, the wire 40 functions as a grid electrode. That is, by controlling the applied potential, electrons /
The flight control of ions can be performed by the grid electrode. This allows electrons / ions to fly in the discharge space to obtain a stirring action.

As shown in FIG. 3, the wire 40 serving as a grid line is formed by forming the core wire 52 itself with a catalyst even if the coating catalyst 53 is provided on the core wire 52 made of a conductive material or without providing the coating catalyst 53. May be. Alternatively, only the grid electrode function may be realized by giving a potential to the core wire 52 without giving a catalytic action. FIG. 4 is a view showing a third embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention. In the gas reactor according to the third embodiment, the stirring action is further enhanced and the probability of collision of electrons / ions is increased. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are referred to by the same numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

When an electron / ion is accelerated by an electric field in the presence of a magnetic field, its trajectory changes under the action of the magnetic field. In particular, electrons are strongly affected by a magnetic field due to a high moving speed. At the converging portion of the magnetic field, the electrons / ions follow a spiral trajectory, and the probability of mutual collision increases significantly. This is considered to be the cause of the aurora phenomenon caused by collision of ions arriving at the north and south poles of the earth, for example. Therefore, by introducing the action of the magnetic field, the stirring action of electrons / ions in the gas reactor can be increased, and the probability of mutual collision can be improved.

In the gas reactor 10B shown in FIG.
A permanent magnet 60 and a yoke 61 are newly provided for the gas reactor 10A. For example, the permanent magnet 60 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a magnetic field is formed in the discharge space by transmitting the magnetic flux B by the yoke 61 and the magnetic material of the internal electrode 13 having a cylindrical shape and functioning as a yoke. By this magnetic field, the trajectory of the electrons / ions is changed as described above, and the stirring action can be increased.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, since the magnetic field has only a radial component, it is preferable to introduce another magnetic field in order to further enhance the stirring effect. This can be realized by making the wire 40 a magnetic material. FIG.
It is a figure which shows typically the magnetic flux B when 0 is a magnetic body. As shown in FIG. 5A, the magnetic flux B converges on the wire 40 by using the wire 40 as a magnetic material. In this magnetic field converging section, the electrons / ions move along a spiral trajectory, so that the stirring action can be enhanced and the probability of mutual collision can be increased. Further, in order to further enhance this effect, as shown in FIG. 5B, by changing the diameter of the wire 40 alternately and providing the thick-diameter portions 65 and the thin-diameter portions 66 alternately, Further, a sharp magnetic field converging portion can be formed. As a result, it is possible to further increase the stirring action and further increase the probability of mutual collision.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention. In the first to third embodiments described above, the gas reactor for rotating the internal electrode 13 has a structure for improving the durability. However, even if the bearings 20a and 20b are formed of ceramics,
Grease must be used, and some problems remain with its corrosion resistance. In addition, since the permanent magnet 15 contacts a small amount of gas, there is a possibility of corrosion. In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, these problems are almost completely solved.

The gas reactor 70 shown in FIG. 6A includes a float electrode 71, external electrodes 72a and 72b, a dielectric cylinder 73,
It includes an upper container sealing portion 74, a lower container sealing portion 75, an internal magnetic body 76, an induction motor magnetic pole 77, an induction motor coil 78, an introduction pipe 79, a discharge pipe 80, a power supply 81, and an internal magnetic substance support member 82. Dielectric cylinder 73, upper container sealing part 74,
The lower container sealing portion 75 functions as a container forming a closed space, and a gas reaction is performed in this space.
A catalyst layer 83 is provided on the surface of the float electrode 71.
The external electrodes 72a and 72b are provided on the outer surface of the dielectric cylinder 73 on the upper and lower sides. When AC power is supplied by the power supply 81, a path from the external electrode 72a to the float electrode 71 via the dielectric tube 73, and further from the float electrode 71 to the external electrode 72b via the dielectric tube 73, or vice versa. A discharge is generated in the path. Thus, in the present embodiment, power supply by physical connection to the internal electrode (float electrode 71) is not required.

The float electrode 71 floats inside the container by the gas pressure supplied for the gas reaction. To realize this, the dielectric cylinder 73 has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter becomes smaller toward the direction shown in the drawing. The float electrode 71 has a tapered shape corresponding to the tapered shape of the dielectric tube 73, the outer shape of which becomes smaller as it goes further. The gas is introduced from an introduction pipe 79 provided in the lower container sealing portion 75, and the float electrode 71 is introduced by gas pressure.
Floating. The gas is supplied to the floating electrode 7 in a floating state.
The gas flows between the catalyst layer 83 provided on the surface of the first container 1 and the inner wall of the dielectric tube 73, and is discharged from the discharge pipe 80 provided in the upper container sealing portion 74.

Float electrode 71 floating by gas pressure
Is rotated by applying the principle of an induction motor. FIG.
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the induction motor portion of FIG. 6A taken along line AA ′. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the internal magnetic body 76 is supported by the internal magnetic body support member 82 and located inside the float electrode 71. An induction motor magnetic pole 7 is provided outside the dielectric cylinder 73.
7 and an induction motor coil 78 are provided. Internal magnetic body 76, induction motor magnetic pole 77, and induction motor coil 78
By applying a rotating magnetic field that intersects the surface of the float electrode 71 which is a conductor such as aluminum, the float electrode 71 can be rotated. This rotating magnetic field is formed by applying an alternating current to the induction motor coil 78 to excite the induction motor magnetic pole 77.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, there is no need for power supply means by physical contact with the internal electrodes, and no bearing or the like for supporting the rotating body is required. Therefore, a durable gas reactor can be provided by eliminating a structure having a problem of corrosion or fatigue. FIG. 7 is a view showing a fifth embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention. 7, the same elements as those of FIG. 6 are referred to by the same numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the float electrode 71 is floated by the gas pressure, so that the position of the float electrode 71 moves up and down due to a change in the gas pressure, and the discharge gap is not constant. In addition, it is difficult to maintain the accuracy, and the discharge may be intermittent or unstable. In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the height of the float electrode 71 is detected by a sensor, and the gas pressure is feedback-controlled. In FIG. 7, only the part related to the feedback control is shown.
Parts related to the induction motor are omitted. The gas reactor 70A of FIG. 7 includes a height sensor 91, a servo circuit 92, and a servo valve 93. The height sensor 91 detects the height of the float electrode 71. Based on this detected value, the servo circuit 92 controls the servo valve 93 to adjust the gas flow rate. Since the gas is compressible and the flow path is relatively long, a so-called time delay system is formed. Oscillation tends to occur when the feedback gain is increased, and accuracy is limited.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a sixth embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention. 8, the same elements as those of FIG. 6 are referred to by the same numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted. FIG.
In the sixth embodiment, the float electrode 71 is floated and the height is controlled not only by the gas pressure but also by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet and the adjusted magnetic force of the electromagnet. The gas reactor 70B of FIG. 8 includes a ring permanent magnet 101, a floating permanent magnet 102, and an electromagnet 10 in addition to the gas reactor 70 of FIG.
3. Height sensor 104, servo circuit 105, and support 1
06. The ring permanent magnet 101 is supported by the column 106 and is arranged inside the float electrode 71.
On the upper inner wall of the float electrode 71, a floating permanent magnet 10
2 are provided. When the floating permanent magnet 102 and the ring permanent magnet 101 repel each other, the float electrode 7
Float 1 The height sensor 104 detects the height of the float electrode 71. Based on this detected value, the servo circuit 105 controls the servo valve electromagnet 103 to adjust the height of the float electrode 71.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, most of the weight of the float electrode 71 can be supported by the gas pressure and the repulsive force of the permanent magnet. In this way, the electromagnet 103 can be used not for floating the float electrode 71 but for height adjustment. Therefore, the servo circuit 10
5 can be reduced. FIG. 9 is a view showing a seventh embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention. FIG.
6, the same elements as those in FIG. 6 are referred to by the same numerals,
The description is omitted.

In the fourth to sixth embodiments described above,
The control of the eccentric direction of rotation is not performed. In some cases, the accuracy may not be sufficient with only the gas flow pressure balance. In such a case, it is necessary to provide a mechanism for controlling the eccentric direction. The gas reactor 70C of FIG.
1, a sensor 112, a servo circuit 113, an eccentricity adjusting coil 114, a yoke magnetic pole 115, a multi-pole permanent magnet 116, and a motor 117. The rotating magnetic field is formed by rotating the multi-pole permanent magnet 116 by the motor 117, thereby rotating the float electrode 71. The eccentricity adjusting coil 114 and the yoke magnetic pole 115 are provided for controlling the eccentricity direction. The three sensors 112 are provided at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and detect the distance of the inner wall to the float electrode 71. The detection result is supplied to the servo circuit 113 as a sensor signal via three sensor signal lines but actually three sensor signal lines in the figure. The servo circuit 113 supplies a coil current to the three coils 114 via one adjustment coil drive line in the figure but actually three adjustment coil drive lines based on the detection result. The position of the float electrode 71 in the eccentric direction is controlled by the magnetic field formed by the coil 114 and the yoke magnetic pole 115. Such control is theoretically established as a magnetic bearing control technique, and further detailed description will be omitted.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, a force to move the float electrode 71 in the rotational direction acts on the magnetic field due to the rotation of the multipole permanent magnet 115, and at the same time, the float electrode 71 The power to move away works. This is an effect due to the induced current being equivalently a diamagnetic material. The force for moving away is stronger as the rotation speed is higher, and has an effect of self-alignment. This self-centering action is the same in the case of the induction motors of FIGS.
When a cylinder of conductive material is inserted into the rotating magnetic field, it receives a repulsive force that tries to move away from the fixed magnetic pole at the same time as the rotational force.
Eccentricity can be controlled.

Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.
Modifications and changes can be freely made within the scope described in the claims.

[0056]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the first electrode inside the container is rotated by the rotating magnetic field applied from the outside of the container, it is possible to prevent the motor and the like from being corroded by contact with the reaction gas. . By rotating the first electrode to make the distribution of plasma uniform, an efficient gas reaction can be obtained. For example, when methane gas is used as a raw material, it is possible to stop the first electrode to mainly obtain a saturated hydrocarbon-based product, and to rotate the first electrode to generate an unsaturated hydrocarbon-based product. You can mainly get things.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first electrode can be rotated by the magnetic coupling. According to the third aspect of the present invention, a durable gas reactor can be provided by using a bearing formed of a corrosive material. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a durable gas reactor can be provided by using a ceramic ball bearing.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the gas flowing through the ball bearing is discharged without passing through the plasma discharge space. Therefore, by providing a gas flow suppressing member in this path, the reaction space can be reduced. The amount of gas that does not pass through can be minimized. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by providing the wire-shaped catalyst having a large surface area, the probability that the gas comes into contact with the catalyst is increased, and the gas reaction can proceed efficiently.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the probability that the gas contacts the catalyst can be increased by causing the wire catalyst to further function as a grid electrode and stirring the electrons and ions to disturb the gas flow. I can do it. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the probability that the gas contacts the catalyst can be increased by providing a wire-shaped grid electrode and stirring the electrons and ions to disturb the gas flow.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, by forming a magnetic field in the discharge space, it is possible to provide a function of stirring electrons / ions and to increase the probability of mutual collision. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a magnetic wire is provided in the discharge space in which the magnetic field is formed to cause a change in the magnetic field, thereby enhancing the stirring action of electrons / ions and further increasing the probability of mutual collision. You can do it.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a magnetic field converging portion can be formed by providing a wire having a portion having a large diameter and a portion having a small diameter which are alternately arranged. The stirring action of ions can be further enhanced, and the probability of mutual collision can be further increased. According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a voltage is applied to the first portion and the second portion of the second electrode, and a voltage is applied between the first portion and the second portion.
Since the discharge current is caused to flow through the first electrode, there is no need to provide a power supply unit that is in physical contact with the first electrode.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the first electrode can be rotated by the principle of the induction motor. According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since the first electrode floats due to the gas pressure, there is no need to provide a bearing that may corrode. According to the fifteenth aspect, by using the tapered container and the tapered first electrode, the first electrode can be easily levitated by the gas flow.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, by controlling the gas flow rate by servo control, the first electrode can be controlled to an appropriate height, and a stable discharge can be realized. According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, since the first electrode floats in the container by the repulsive force of the permanent magnet, there is no need to provide a bearing that may corrode. According to the eighteenth aspect, by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field by servo control, the first electrode can be controlled to an appropriate height, and a stable discharge can be realized.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the first electrode can be rotated by the principle of the induction motor by generating the rotating magnetic field by the permanent magnet rotated by the motor. When the first electrode is rotated based on the principle of the induction motor using the rotating magnetic field, the first
A force in the rotational direction is applied to the electrode and a force for moving away from the fixed magnetic pole is applied. Therefore, the center of rotation of the first electrode is automatically adjusted by the force for moving away.

In the twentieth aspect, by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field by the servo control, the rotation center of the first electrode can be controlled to realize a stable discharge.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a first embodiment of a gas reactor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration for accurately placing a wire at a predetermined position in a discharge space.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a magnetic flux B when a wire is made of a magnetic material.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a fifth embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a sixth embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a seventh embodiment of the gas reactor according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Gas reactor 11 Dielectric cylinder 12 External electrode 13 Internal electrode 14 Rotating cylinder 15 Permanent magnet 16 Permanent magnet 17 Motor 18a, 18b Gear 19 Cup-shaped yoke 20a and 20b Bearing 21, 22 Gas flow suppressing part 23 Protection cylinder 24 Rotation center Shaft 25 Upper container sealing part 26 Lower container sealing part 27 Replacement cylinder fixing nut 28 Gas introduction pipe 29 Gas exhaust pipe 30 Slip ring 31 Spring 32 Brush 33 Central member

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A gas reactor for causing a gas reaction by a cooperative operation of a plasma discharge and a catalytic reaction, comprising: a container defining a gas reaction space; a first electrode rotatable inside the container; The first magnetic field is generated by generating a rotating magnetic field provided outside the container.
A magnetic field generating unit for rotating the first electrode, a second electrode for generating a plasma discharge in a space between the first electrode and the inner wall of the container, and a catalyst disposed in a space where the plasma discharge is generated. A gas reactor, characterized in that: 2. The magnetic field generating section generates the rotating magnetic field with a first permanent magnet rotated by a motor, and the first electrode is connected to a second permanent magnet magnetically coupled to the first permanent magnet. 2. The gas reactor according to claim 1, wherein the gas is rotated by rotating the permanent magnet. 3. The gas reactor according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the first electrode is supported by a bearing made of a material resistant to the gas reaction. 4. A gas reactor according to claim 3, wherein said bearing is a ball bearing made of ceramic balls. 5. The gas reactor according to claim 4, further comprising a gas flow suppressing member formed of an inactive material provided in a path through which the gas flows through the ball bearing. 6. The gas reactor according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst includes a wire-shaped catalyst disposed in a space where the plasma discharge occurs. 7. The wire-shaped catalyst includes a terminal for applying a voltage from the outside of the container, and functions as a grid electrode for controlling flight of electrons and ions by the voltage. Gas reactor. 8. The gas reactor according to claim 1, further comprising a wire-like grid electrode provided in a space where said plasma discharge occurs. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a permanent magnet for forming a magnetic field in a space where said plasma discharge occurs.
The gas reactor as described. 10. The gas reactor according to claim 9, further comprising a magnetic wire provided in a space where said plasma discharge occurs. 11. The gas reactor according to claim 10, wherein said magnetic wire includes a portion having a large diameter and a portion having a small diameter which are alternately arranged. 12. The second electrode includes a first part and a second part, and applies a voltage between the first part and the second part to form the first electrode. Generating a plasma discharge by passing a current through a space where the plasma discharge occurs between the portion and the first electrode and between the second portion and the first electrode. The gas reactor according to claim 1, wherein: 13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic field generating section includes an induction motor magnetic pole for generating said rotating magnetic field and an induction motor coil, and rotates said first electrode by the principle of an induction motor. Gas reactor. 14. The gas reactor according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode floats in the container by a pressure of a gas flowing in the container. 15. The gas reactor according to claim 14, wherein a surface of said first electrode facing an inner wall of said container and an inner wall of said container are formed in a tapered shape. 16. A sensor for detecting a flying height of the first electrode, a valve for adjusting a flow rate of the gas, and a flow rate of the gas is adjusted by controlling the valve based on a detection result of the sensor. 16. The gas reactor according to claim 15, further comprising a servo circuit for performing the operation. 17. The gas reactor according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode floats in the container by a repulsive force of a permanent magnet. 18. A sensor for detecting the flying height of the first electrode, an electromagnet for changing the flying height of the first electrode by generating a magnetic field, and based on a detection result of the sensor. The gas reactor according to claim 17, further comprising a servo circuit that controls the electromagnet to adjust the flying height. 19. The gas according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic field generating section generates said rotating magnetic field by a permanent magnet rotated by a motor, and rotates said first electrode by the principle of an induction motor. Reactor. 20. A sensor for detecting a degree of eccentricity of the first electrode, wherein the first electrode is levitated in the container, and a center of rotation of the first electrode is changed by generating a magnetic field. 2. The gas reactor according to claim 1, further comprising an adjusting electromagnet to be controlled, and a servo circuit that controls the adjusting electromagnet based on a detection result of the sensor to adjust the rotation center.