Various embodiments of the present invention relate to, among other things, a nano carrier platform for generating enhanced engineered water nanostructures (iEWNS) encapsulating and delivering reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, in some instances, other active ingredients, methods for inactivating at least one of viruses, bacteria, bacterial spores, and fungi on a substrate by applying iEWNS to the substrate.

A membrane separation pretreatment apparatus including a membrane separation unit and a first underwater plasma discharge unit disposed in front of the membrane separation unit is provided. The membrane separation pretreatment apparatus includes a membrane separation unit configured to remove particulate matter contained in raw water, and a first underwater plasma discharge unit disposed in front of the membrane separation unit and configured to cause a portion of the raw water to be introduced into the membrane separation unit to perform underwater plasma discharging.

A pulsed voltage is repeatedly applied between a first electrode and a second electrode to which a gas is supplied, a plasma is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an active species is produced in the plasma. The energy necessary for plasma generation is set to a value greater than or equal to 1.8 W/cm.sup.3 and less than or equal to 8.5 W/cm.sup.3.

A first electrode and a second electrode, and a ceramic structural body into which a gas is introduced, and which is configured to introduce into water an active species produced by a plasma which is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode are provided. The ceramic structural body and at least one electrode from among the first electrode and the second electrode are formed together in an integrated manner.

The device provided relates to the field of water purification and disinfection. The device for water purification works by exposing water to an hydroxyl radicals and includes a corona discharge reactor, an ejector, at least one solenoid valve, control electronics, a mixing chamber. Inside the reactor there is a group of pin discharge electrodes, an earthen solid electrode, a chamber of saturated vapors of treated water, and the reactor is interfaced to the ejector. The device allows to obtain at the output of the device water with a high degree of purification, as from biological pollution, as well as to get rid of many undesirable chemical compounds present in the source water by their oxidation to safe products.

An annular bubbling electric discharge reactor for treating water includes a non-conductive pipe having a top and a bottom with a gas sparger installed within the non-conductive pipe and positioned adjacent the bottom and adapted to generate bubbles or foam and control the bubble size formation. A high voltage electrode is fixed concentrically within the non-conductive pipe and a ground electrode is fixed at an intermediate position within the non-conductive pipe and in circumferential relation to the high voltage electrode with an annular space defined between the ground electrode and high voltage electrode. A liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are provided to allow polluted liquid/water into the reactor and discharge treated liquid/water therefrom. A circuit and power supply are provided for generating an electrical discharge between the high voltage electrode and ground electrode, thereby creating a plasma generation region where the liquid is treated.

A method for mitigating microbe buildup within a potable water supply system including: cleaning of the water supply system; acquiring data including at least water conditions at multiple points within the potable water supply system; a control system adjusting local water conditions within the potable water supply system; a bacteria monitor assessing water within the potable water system to determine at least levels of bacteria within the potable water system; and applying an antimicrobial condition to water within the potable water system.

A system using electrical discharge plasma (EDP) for treating a liquid, such as water or waste water to degrade or destroy polar contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds, the system includes a sealed process tank and multiple submerged EDP channels stacked horizontally. Each EDP channel consists of a cathode and an anode, a gas hood, and a gas diffuser. The basic submerged EDP channel is bounded by a plate at the bottom and a submerged gas hood at the top which creates a gas headspace, and hence, a local water surface to provide a local gas/liquid interface in each channel. The cathode lies above the local water surface and anode lies below the local water surface. Each EDP channel may have a gas diffuser at the bottom of the EDP channel for introducing a process gas into the liquid creating bubbles that carry contaminants in the liquid to the local gas/liquid interface. An electrical discharge arcs between the cathode and the anode to generate a plasma used for destruction of contaminants in the water or wastewater at the local gas/liquid interface.

To provide a sterilizing liquid and a method of producing the same that have no restrictions on application methods and usage and can be widely used for sterilization, a sterilizing liquid including water containing reactive oxygen species and a nanoparticle catalyst in a stationary state is produced by causing cavitation in water having a conductivity of 2000 μS/cm or less and COD of 2000 ppm or less while causing the water to flow by a stirrer 2, and causing generation of plasma by a plasma generation mechanism 3 in which a pulse voltage is applied across electrodes 31 in the water including air bubbles mainly containing water vapor generated by the cavitation.

A plasma generator includes a cathode, an anode, and a stabilizing electrode. The stabilizing electrode stabilises a region of plasma within a fluid. Methods of plasma generation and uses thereof are also provided.