USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

R Kenneth Hutcherson

Stuart L Moran

Michael G Grothaus

Richard A Korzekwa

Hazardous gases within a fluent mixture such as polluted air, are treated exposure to corona discharge within reaction zones of a plurality of reactor modules to effect chemical breakdown for pollution abatement purposes. Electrical pulse energy delivered to the reaction zones to effect corona discharge therein, is monitored to optimize pollution abatement by suppression of thermal arcing within the reaction zones.

Pulsed corona reactor system for abatement of pollution by hazardous

A high-power, high-repetition-rate spark gap switch having metal-hydride electrodes is provided The spark gap switch is configured with a trigger and two electrodes fabricated with metal hydrides. The hydride metals may be selected from a variety of alloys including iron, nickel, magnesium, and palladium based alloys. Use of these alloys for fabrication of the electrodes permits hydrogen to be absorbed into the electrode material at a density approximately that of liquid hydrogen. During operation of the switch, the increasing temperature causes hydrogen to be desorbed into cavity surrounding the switch. Whereas the increasing temperature lowers the breakdown voltage of the switch, the increasing pressure raises the breakdown voltage. The result is the switch operates at a constant breakdown voltage independent of temperature.

High-power gas switch with hydride electrodes

A triggerable, high voltage, high current, spark gap switch for use in pu power systems. The device comprises a pair of electrodes in a high pressure hydrogen environment that is triggered by introducing an arc between one electrode and a trigger pin. Unusually high repetition rates may be obtained by undervolting the switch, i.e., operating the trigger at voltages much below the self-breakdown voltage of the device.

Growing community of inventors

College Park, MD, United States of America

R Kenneth Hutcherson