EP0579680B1 - Device for the production of defined ionised gases or ionisation products - Google Patents

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

The invention relates to a device for generating defined, ionized gases or ionization products and their lossless transport.

Research into the biological activities of charged particles in air ions indicates a certain potential of their general biological, physiological and therapeutic effects. So far it has been assumed that the biological action of the air ions is achieved by regulating the membrane charge of the erythrocytes and acting on the central regulatory systems down to the brain and the glands of internal secretion. The use of air ions is known, for example, for diseases such as bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, hypertension, etc.

It is already known to produce and study oxygen anion radicals. However, the manufacturing processes are mostly unsuitable for therapeutic and physiological applications.

FR-A-2 202 625 describes a method with which gaseous ions can be generated by a corona discharge. However, the large diameter of the supply tube creates a large volume flow. The consequence of this is that only relatively low oxygen anion radical generation can take place. In addition, due to the high flow rate, a relatively high voltage is required, which contains a comparatively large amount of harmful by-products, e.g. Generates ozone. In this process, nitrogen must therefore first be ionized, with which the oxygen is then subsequently ionized.

If ionized products are transported over long distances, there is often a high loss of ion concentration.

From US-A-2 018 434 a device for producing ionized gases is known which has a tubular outer electrode and an inner electrode. The inner electrode is heated with alternating current and there is a potential difference between it and the outer electrode.

Finally, a device is known from EP-A-0 029 421, in which a potential difference is generated between the inner electrode and electrodes within the outer electrode. The object of the invention is therefore to create a device for generating defined, ionized gases or ionization products, in particular oxygen anion radicals, in which the production of harmful by-products is minimized at the same time, and to transport them almost without loss.

The object is achieved by the characterizing part of claim 1. Further advantageous developments of the invention result from the subclaims and subclaims.

The resulting defined ionized gases or gaseous products have a previously unknown physiological effectiveness. This is attributed in particular to the relatively high concentration of oxygen anion radicals generated. No or only small amounts of by-products, e.g. Ozone.

Some preferred embodiments are described in detail in the description of the figures.

Figur 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Erzeugen ionisierter Gase mit einer Innenelektrode;

Figur 2

eine Vorrichtung zum Erzeugen ionisierter Gase mit zwei Innenelektroden;

Figur 3

eine zweite Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 2;

Figur 4

eine Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 4a

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 4;

Figur 5

eine weitere Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 1;

Figur 6

eine Vorrichtung zum Erzeugen ionisierter Gase mit einer zusammengesetzten Hohlelektrode und zwei Innenelektroden;

Figur 7

eine weitere mögliche Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Figur 7a

eine Ansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß Figur 7 in Blickrichrichtung des Gasstromes.

Show it

Figure 1

a device for generating ionized gases with an inner electrode;

Figure 2

a device for generating ionized gases with two internal electrodes;

Figure 3

a second embodiment of the device according to Figure 2;

Figure 4

an embodiment of the device according to Figure 1;

Figure 4a

a plan view of the device of Figure 4;

Figure 5

a further embodiment of the device according to Figure 1;

Figure 6

a device for generating ionized gases with a composite hollow electrode and two internal electrodes;

Figure 7

another possible embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7a

a view of the device of Figure 7 in the direction of the gas stream.

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention for generating defined, ionized gases or ionization products, in which a gas stream 1 to be ionized enters a tubular, cylindrical hollow electrode 3. A high voltage supplied by a voltage source 2 is applied to the one-piece hollow electrode 3. This high voltage energizes the gas molecules flowing through before they reach the area of the inner electrode 4. Due to the previous excitation, the corona voltage can be reduced to 2.5 to 4 kV, whereby the formation of by-products, e.g. Ozone, values that are essentially not higher than those found in nature.

The actual corona discharge takes place at the inner electrode 4. The outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 are on the same or the inner electrode is at a lower, negative electrical potential. At least a portion of the inner electrode 4 is close to the gas outlet opening 9 of the outer electrode 3.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the inner electrode 4 is formed in one piece and consists of a wire-shaped area 5 and a needle-shaped area 6, which lies close to the gas outlet opening 9, in order to keep the concentration loss of ionized gas molecules as small as possible. The size and shape of the inner electrode 4 is selected in relation to the inner region of the tubular outer electrode 3 so that it can ionize a large proportion of the gas molecules flowing through, so that defined ionization products are formed. The concentration and the qualitative composition can also be controlled via the flow velocity of the gas molecules. The lower the flow rate in the specified range, the higher the concentration of the ionized products, e.g. Oxygen anion radicals If the potential difference between the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 is negative, the inner electrode 4 is held by supports 7 made of insulating material. To protect against electric shock, the outer electrode is covered with an insulating touch protection 8.

FIGS. 2 and 3 describe a device for generating defined, ionized gases or ionization products, which consists of a tubular, cylindrical hollow electrode 3 and two internal electrodes each. One inner electrode 10 is arranged in each case in the gas inlet area, the other inner electrode 11, 12 is arranged in the gas outlet area. The input inner electrode 10 serves for additional pre-excitation of the gas molecules. As a result, the generation of defined ionization products can be achieved in a wide flow rate range of the gases, the formation of by-products still not exceeding the values occurring in nature. Due to the conical shape of the outer electrode 3 in FIG. 3, a different flow rate at the inner input electrode 10 and the output electrode 12 is achieved. The relationships of the input and output surfaces of the hollow electrode 3 according to FIG. 3 are in a range up to max. 10: 1. A ratio of 2: 1 and 3: 1 has proven to be particularly advantageous.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the internal electrodes 4 are designed either as a metal tip or as a wire mesh. Instead of a wire mesh, of course, any equivalent embodiment can be selected. For example, it is conceivable to use a close-meshed metal mesh or a perforated metal foil as the inner electrode.

A further embodiment of the inner electrode as a wire mesh can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 4a. In this case, the wire mesh is formed in that individual wires are angularly offset in several parallel planes. The number of wires used is variable. In Figure 4, four wires (13 a, b, c, d) are used. Figure 4a shows a top view of the resulting shape of the wire mesh.

The diameter of the wire that forms the wire mesh is preferably in the range between 0.05 and 0.3 mm.

The individual wires, which each form an electrode system, are advantageously arranged perpendicular to the gas stream 1.

FIG. 5 describes a further embodiment of the inner electrode 4.
The inner electrode consists of a base 14 and a cylindrical electrode body, which can have, for example, a round or pointed end. The base 14 is connected to the outer electrode 3 on the gas inlet side and has openings 16 through which the gas flow into the outer electrode 3 entry. There are electrically conductive metal particles 17 on the surface of the electrode body 15, which can be magnetically fixed to the inner electrode, for example. With a large number of metal particles, the high voltage can be further reduced while the concentration of the ionization products remains the same.

FIG. 6 designates a device for ionizing gases, in which the outer electrode 3 is not formed in one piece, but is divided into several electrode areas. In the exemplary embodiment, an outer electrode with three electrode regions 17, 18, 19 is used. The gas 1 to be ionized enters the outer electrode area 18 at the entrance area. This is connected to a voltage source U₁. The gas molecules excited in this way pass through a first grid-shaped or perforated inner electrode 21 and arrive in a second selection electrode area 19. A voltage U 2 different from U 1 is applied to this area. Before leaving the outer electrode 3, the gas mixture flows through a third outer electrode region 20. A second inner electrode 22 mounted on the output side is arranged in this region. The area 20 is supplied with a voltage U₃. All outer electrode regions 18, 19, 20 are separated from one another by insulation bodies 23. For example, Teflon (trademark) is used as insulation material. In this variant, the pre-excitation of the gas can be improved even further, for example by a higher negative potential with U₁> U₂> U₃ or U₂> U₃.

In all exemplary embodiments, metal, in particular platinum, gold or copper, is preferably used as the electrode material. In order to further reduce the very small amount of ozone formed, cobalt-salt-coated or cobalt-alloyed electrodes, ie needles, grids, chips and inner surfaces, can also be used. Cobalt salts decompose ozone to oxygen.

The devices of the type described above are preferably used for inhalation purposes. For this purpose, oxygen is preferably used as the gas. To generate a sufficient amount of oxygen anion radicals, for example, an oxygen or air volume flow of less than 5 ml / min, preferably of 1-3 ml / min is sufficient if a hollow electrode with a cross-sectional surface of 1 mm² is used.

The device for ionizing gases according to the invention can also be used for sterilization.

Such a device is described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 7a.

A gas flow enters the tubular cylindrical outer electrode 3 in the entry area 24. On the side opposite the entry area, the outer electrode 3 is closed off by a wall 25. The outer electrode 3 is connected to a voltage source 3, which supplies a high voltage of 5 to 12 kV. A fibrous inner electrode 26 is attached at one end to a support 7 and at the other end to the wall 25. Carbon is preferably selected as the material of the inner electrode 26, so that only low ozone formation and metal emissions can arise at the high voltage used. In the area of the inner electrode 26, a plurality of holes 27 are arranged in the longitudinal area of the hollow electrode 3. The incoming gas is ionized on the inner electrode 26. The finished ionization product exits through holes 27. The ratio of the diameter of the electrode to each hole is preferably between 1: 1.5 and 1: 4. Instead of a row of holes, an outlet slot or an outlet opening equivalent thereto can also be provided.

The device is used, for example, for the sterilization of food and possibly packaging containers.

Another preferred area of application is the sterilization and sterile maintenance of medical and dental instruments, medical workplaces and hollow bodies, which e.g. be used in medicine.

Thus, e.g. Operating tables can be sterilized on site.

The device can also be used to sterilize the gas environment in the production of cosmetics.

Basically, the device for the sterilization of organic material, which is impaired by the action of microorganisms in its useful properties.

Because of the potential application risk, the use of pure oxygen for sterilization seems less suitable than nitrogen. In this case e.g. the use of air is the most economical solution (e.g. when sterilizing in refrigerators).

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a spray device (not shown) in the area of the gas outlet opening 9 or the outlet holes 27 of the outer electrode 3. Such a device is preferably used in sterilization cabinets. Through the additional application e.g. a hydrogen peroxide solution, which is mixed with the gas stream containing the ionization product with the aid of the spray device and whose concentration is preferably less than 3%, the sterilization effect can be increased.

Claims (12)

1. Appliance for producing defined ionized gases or ionization products,
   characterized by the following features:

   a) a tubular hollow electrode, which can be connected to a feeder for the gas, as the outer electrode (3);

   b) at least one inner electrode (6, 10, 13a-d, 21) which within the range of its disposition, affects the entire cavity of the outer electrode (3);

   c) there is applied to the inner and the outer electrode a negative high voltage, supplied by a high voltage source, of from -2000 to -3000 volts, in each case with respect to earth, a potential difference of at most 1000 volts being set between the inner and outer electrode, and

   d) a flow velocity is set for the gases of less than 100 ml/min/mm².
2. Appliance according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   two inner electrodes (10, 11, 12) arranged behind one another in the flow direction of the gases are provided.
3. Appliance for producing ionized gases or gas mixtures,
   characterized by the following features:

   a) a tubular hollow electrode, which can be connected to the feeder for the gas, as the outer electrode (3), which at its lateral side has orifices (27) and is closed on the side facing the feeder;

   b) fibrous inner electrode (26) which is arranged in the region of the orifice and in the longitudinal direction of the outer electrode in such a way, that the gases, prior to their exit from the orifices (27), flow past the inner electrode;

   c) there is applied to the inner and the outer electrode a negative high voltage, supplied by a high voltage source, of from -2000 to -3000 volts, in each case with respect to earth, a potential difference of at most 1000 volts being set between the inner and outer electrode, and

   d) a flow velocity is set for the gases of less than 100 ml/min/mm².
4. Appliance according to Claim 1, 2 or 3,
   characterized in that
   the tubular outer electrode (3) is of one-piece design.
5. Appliance according to Claim 1, 2 or 3,
   characterized in that
   the tubular outer electrode (3) is composed of a plurality of subregions (18, 19, 20).
6. Appliance according to Claim 5,
   characterized in that
   there is applied to each subregion (18, 19, 20) a voltage (U₁, U₂, U₃).
7. Appliance according to any one of Claims 1, 2 and 4-6,
   characterized in that
   the inner electrode is designed as a metal tip (6, 12).
8. Appliance according to any one of Claims 1, 2 and 4-6,
   characterized in that
   the inner electrode is designed as a wire grating (10, 11, 13a-d, 21, 22).
9. Appliance according to any one of Claims 1 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the surface of the inner electrode (15) is provided with metal particles (17) which are fixed thereon in a conductive manner.
10. Appliance according to any one of Claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that
    the tubular outer electrode (3) and the inner electrodes (4, 10, 11, 12, 13a-d, 15, 21, 22) consist of material which is coated with one or more cobalt salts or is alloyed with cobalt.
11. Appliance according to any one of Claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in that
    there is provided, in the effective range of the ionization products, which is situated in the outlet region of the outer electrode (3), a spray device by means of which the ionized gas can be admixed with a liquid.
12. Appliance according to Claim 3,
    characterized in that
    the inner electrode consists of carbon fibres.

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