Systems, methods, and apparatus are contemplated in which a tube cell that produces a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is individually configured to minimize the mixing of unwanted byproducts of the generated plasma with an exhaust air stream. The tube cell generates a DBD within a tube cell, such that oxidants or radicals are generated in an environment substantially separated from the exhaust stream. The generated oxidants are directed to intersect with the exhaust stream to minimize the generation of unwanted byproducts. The tube cells are further shaped and arranged in tube cell arrays to alter the flow dynamics of the exhaust stream and the oxidant or radical streams, including mixing of the streams.

The instant invention is based on techniques for using non-thermal plasma reactors in both the main exhaust pipe and in the exhaust gas recirculation feed pipe to reduce particulate matter sufficiently to meet EPA limits for PM and enhanced exhaust gas recirculation to meet NOx limits. More specifically, it is based upon the use of a non-thermal plasma device in which a high voltage charge in the plasma reactor causes extremely rapid oxidation of soot particles in the exhaust stream of an engine and further chemical reactions that aid in the reduction of NOx. The primary benefit of this technology is that it can be calibrated to optimize both soot and NOx reduction.

A disclosed system for reducing particulate matter in exhaust gas includes: a processing object unit having a preset system voltage and configured to produce exhaust gas containing particulate matters (PMs); a first conductor provided in the form of a tubular body in which the exhaust gas flows and to which a ground power supply is connected; a second conductor disposed in the first conductor and having an emitter which comes into contact with the exhaust gas and generates non-thermal plasma (NTP); an insulator configured to electrically separate the second conductor from the first conductor; and a transformer provided to be electrically insulated from the first conductor and fixedly disposed outside the tubular body that constitutes the first conductor, the transformer being configured to receive the system voltage, raise the system voltage to a preset operating voltage, and apply the preset operating voltage to the second conductor.

A transfer module for transferring power to a non-thermal plasma generator includes a power cable; a first epoxy; a second epoxy; an interface between the first epoxy and the second epoxy; and a well; the power cable including a conductor for conducting electrical power and an insulation layer for surrounding a portion of the conductor; the first epoxy being located within the well to surround the insulation layer; the second epoxy being located within the well to surround the conductor located within the well; the second epoxy being located outside the well to surround the conductor located outside the well.

A plasma generating system includes a waveguide for transmitting a microwave energy therethrough and an inner wall disposed within the waveguide to define a plasma cavity, where a plasma is generated within the plasma cavity using the microwave energy. The plasma generating system further includes: an adaptor having a gas outlet through which an exhaust gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and a recuperator directly attached to the adaptor and having a gas passageway that is in fluid communication with the gas outlet in the adaptor. The recuperator recovers heat energy from the exhaust gas and heats an input gas using the heat energy.

The present invention provides a plasma generating system that includes: a plasma cavity for generating a plasma therewithin by use of microwave energy; an adaptor electrically grounded and having a gas outlet through which an exhaust gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and an ignition device mounted on the adaptor. The ignition device includes: a first electrode electrically grounded; and a second electrode electrically floating and configured to convert a portion of the microwave energy into an electrostatic discharge to thereby develop a voltage difference between the first and second electrodes, where the voltage difference generates a spark discharge between the first electrode and the second electrode to create the plasma.

A plasma generating system includes a waveguide for transmitting a microwave energy therethrough and an inner wall disposed within the waveguide to define a plasma cavity, where a plasma is generated within the plasma cavity using the microwave energy. The plasma generating system further includes: an adaptor mounted on a first side of the waveguide and physically separated from the waveguide by a first gap and having a gas outlet through which a gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and an EM seal disposed in the first gap and configured to block leakage of the microwave energy through the first gap.

An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas pathway configured to receive exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and a non-thermal plasma generator positioned in the exhaust gas pathway. The non-thermal plasma generator is configured to increase a proportion of nitrogen dioxide in the exhaust gas. The system also includes a first treatment element positioned in the exhaust gas pathway downstream of the non-thermal plasma generator and a second treatment element positioned in the exhaust gas pathway downstream of the first treatment element. At least one of the first treatment element or the second treatment element includes a combined selective catalytic reduction and diesel particulate filter (SCR+F) element.

This disclosure relates generally to an emitter for dissociating exhaust gases on a molecular level into their respective elemental constituents. The emitter includes a palladium plated anode and a cathode, at least a portion of which is palladium plated. When properly powered, the emitters create a non-linear quantum dissonance field to dissociate molecules in exhaust.

The present invention provides a plasma generating system that includes: a plasma cavity for generating a plasma therewithin by use of microwave energy; an adaptor electrically grounded and having a gas outlet through which an exhaust gas processed by the plasma exits the plasma cavity; and an ignition device mounted on the adaptor. The ignition device includes: a first electrode electrically grounded; and a second electrode electrically floating and configured to convert a portion of the microwave energy into an electrostatic discharge to thereby develop a voltage difference between the first and second electrodes, where the voltage difference generates a spark discharge between the first electrode and the second electrode to create the plasma.