Patent ID: 9185787
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: H01J,H05H

Abstract:
1. A glow discharge cell comprising: an electrically conductive cylindrical vessel having a first end and a closed second end, an inlet proximate to the first end, and an outlet centered in the closed second end; a hollow electrode aligned with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel and extending at least from the first end into the cylindrical vessel, wherein the hollow electrode has an inlet and an outlet; a first insulator that seals the first end of the cylindrical vessel around the hollow electrode; a cylindrical screen aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel, attached to the first insulator, disposed between the hollow electrode and the cylindrical vessel to form a substantially equidistant gap between the cylindrical screen and the hollow electrode, and having a bottom disposed between the inlet of the hollow electrode and the closed second end of the cylindrical vessel; a non-conductive granular material disposed within the substantially equidistant gap, wherein (a) the non-conductive granular material allows an electrically conductive fluid to flow between the cylindrical screen and the hollow electrode, and (b) the combination of the non-conductive granular material and the conductive fluid prevents electrical arcing between the cylindrical vessel or screen and the hollow electrode during a electric glow discharge; and wherein: (1) the electric glow discharge is created whenever (a) the glow discharge cell is connected to a DC electrical power supply such that the cylindrical vessel or screen is an anode and the hollow electrode is a cathode, and (b) the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap, and (2) the cathode heats up during the electric glow discharge.