Bruce R Locke

US Patent:

6491797, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Jun 5, 1995

Appl. No.:

08/461238

Inventors:

Bruce R. Locke - Tallahassee FL
Amit K. Sharma - Richland WA
Wright C. Finney - Tallahassee FL
Pedro G. Arce - Tallahassee FL

Assignee:

Florida State University - Tallahassee FL

International Classification:

C07B 6300

US Classification:

2041582, 20415821, 204165, 588212, 588227, 210748

Abstract:

A method for oxidizing an organic contaminant in an aqueous medium generates H O in the aqueous medium through the use of a corona discharge procedure. A quantity of hydroxyl radicals is generated from the H O. An organic contaminant is oxidized in the aqueous medium by reacting the hydroxyl radicals with the organic contaminant, the oxidation being enhanced by methods for facilitating the generation of hydroxyl radicals.

US Patent:

6695953, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Apr 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

08/416393

Inventors:

Bruce R. Locke - Tallahassee FL
Wright C. Finney - Tallahassee FL
David R. Grymonpre - Indianapolis IN

Assignee:

Florida State University - Tallahassee FL

International Classification:

C07C 100

US Classification:

20415715, 2041582, 20415821, 588212, 588227, 110346, 210748

Abstract:

Novel accelerated methods involving corona discharge, and preferably pulsed streamer high voltage corona discharge, in combination with an effective amount of suitable particles to break down organic contaminants, such as phenol and phenol red, in aqueous mediums are disclosed. More particularly, it has been discovered that the addition of an effective amount of suitable particles to the aqueous phase of a corona reactor greatly affects the properties of the corona discharge, i. e. , streamer length, intensity, number of streamers and sparkover voltage, thereby significantly increasing the breakdown voltage (i. e. , the maximum voltage prior to sparkover), so that the removal of organic contaminants may be accelerated, since the production of hydroxyl radicals, aqueous electrons and hydrogen peroxide increases with increases in the applied discharge voltage. As a result, it has been discovered that the addition of such particles to the fluid in the corona reactor leads to a decrease in exposure time and increase in efficiency. The methods may be practiced in a corona reactor containing a grounded plane electrode suspended above a hollow needle point electrode connected to a high voltage rotating spark gap pulsed power supply.

US Patent:

7919053, Apr 5, 2011

Filed:

May 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/749945

Inventors:

Radu Burlica - Iasi, RO
Bruce R. Locke - Tallahassee FL, US

International Classification:

B01J 19/08

US Classification:

42218621, 588301, 204178

Abstract:

A pulsed gliding arc discharge (PGD) reactor includes an ignition coil driven by a pulse generator which is connected to a pair of divergent electrodes fixed by a reactor housing with a fluid inlet and outlet. Hydrogen peroxide and dye degradation can be carried out with a PGD reactor according to the invention with efficiencies that are more than two orders of magnitude greater than a conventional ACG reactor based on the calculated specific energy yield.

US Patent:

8444924, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Jun 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/477386

Inventors:

Radu Burlica - Iasi, RO
Bruce Locke - Tallahassee FL, US

Assignee:

Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc. - Tallahassee FL

International Classification:

B01J 19/08

US Classification:

42218623

Abstract:

A plasma gliding arc discharge reactor is described. The reactor may include a housing having a plurality of divergent electrodes, a power supply connected to the electrodes, which delivers pulsed power to the reactor, and a nozzle that directs a mixture of a carrier gas and a liquid to a region between the divergent electrodes, thereby generating plasma in the region. The nozzle can include a first inlet for receiving the carrier gas, a second inlet for receiving the liquid and a mixing chamber that is configured to mix the carrier gas and the liquid prior to being directed to the region.

US Patent:

20050011745, Jan 20, 2005

Filed:

Jul 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/620007

Inventors:

Bruce Locke - Tallahassee FL, US
Austin Appleton - West Point NY, US
Pavel Sunka - Prague, CZ
Natalija Koprivanac - Zagreb, HR
Hrvoje Kusic - Samobor, HR

International Classification:

H05F003/00
B01J019/08

US Classification:

204164000, 422186040

Abstract:

A multi-phase hybrid reactor provides simultaneous gas and liquid phase high voltage electrical discharges that provide highly reactive species that destroy contaminants as in both gas and liquid phase. Catalytic particles, including various types of zeolites, can further enhance the rate of contaminant degradation.

US Patent:

20220332606, Oct 20, 2022

Filed:

Apr 1, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/711798

Inventors:

- Tallahassee FL, US
Bruce R. Locke - Tallahassee FL, US

International Classification:

C02F 1/44
B01D 71/30
B01D 69/12
B01D 71/02
C02F 1/469

Abstract:

A plasma activated water production system includes a plasma reactor and a membrane concentrator. The plasma reactor includes an internal cavity, at least one electrically-conductive inlet capillary and outlet capillary. A mixing chamber has a feed gas inlet, a liquid inlet, and a mixed gas and liquid outlet. A power source is provided. The plasma reactor propagates a plasma discharge between the inlet capillary and the outlet capillary. A membrane concentrator includes a water flow channel with a water inlet and a water outlet, a dry gas inlet and a humidified gas outlet. An ion selective membrane is provided, and water will pass through the membrane into the dry gas, and the water leaving the membrane concentrator will have increased concentrations of nitrates, nitrites and hydrogen peroxide. An electrodialysis embodiment and a method of generating plasma activated with increased concentration of nitrates, nitrites and hydrogen peroxide are also disclosed.