MOBILE CREMATORIUM

Abstract

The invention relates to cremation of dead bodies of humans or animals by plasma-chemical destruction method. A mobile crematorium includes a chassis bearing a reactor implemented as a closed cavity with an opening for placing dead bodies of humans or animals to be cremated into the reactor, and to close the reactor after that, and also with an opening for outputting gaseous products. The crematorium additionally includes a source of high-voltage pulses, that is connected to an electrode protruding into the reactor via an isolating member, wherein inner surfaces of the reactor cavity are made conductive entirely or partially and a gap is provided between the inner surfaces and the electrode, the gap assuring generation of corona discharge plasma in the reactor due to the high-voltage pulses.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. A mobile crematorium, comprising: a wheeled chassis; a reactor mounted on the wheeled chassis; the reactor including a housing with a closed cavity that has an opening configured for placing dead bodies of humans or animals to be cremated in the reactor, the opening configured to be closed after the placing; the reactor including a second opening for outputting gaseous products of cremation; an electrode protruding into the reactor cavity via an isolating member, wherein inner surfaces of the reactor cavity are made conductive entirely or partially, and a gap between the inner surfaces and the electrode, the gap assuring generation of corona discharge plasma in the reactor due to high-voltage pulses; and a source of the high-voltage pulses connected to the electrode.

9. The mobile crematorium of claim 8, wherein the gap between the electrode and conductive portions of the inner surfaces of the reactor cavity is 5 to 50 millimeters.

10. The mobile crematorium of claim 8, wherein the electrode is made of steel.

11. The mobile crematorium of claim 8, wherein conductive portions of the inner surfaces of the reactor cavity are made of steel and are grounded.

12. The mobile crematorium of claim 8, wherein pressure inside the reactor is 0.1 to 1.0 Pa less than atmospheric pressure.

13. The mobile crematorium of claim 12, wherein a decrease in pressure inside the reactor is provided by a connection of an electrostatic filter to the second opening, and wherein the electrostatic filter has an extraction air fan.

14. The mobile crematorium of claim 8, wherein input of outside air to the reactor is restricted.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0014] In the drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-section of the reactor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a vertical cross-section of the reactor, where the following designators are used: [0018] 1—reactor with inner cavity; [0019] 2—input opening; [0020] 3—output opening; [0021] 4—inner surface of reactor cavity; [0022] 5—conductive portions of inner surface of reactor cavity; [0023] 6—electrode; [0024] 7—isolating member; [0025] 8—source of high-voltage pulses; [0026] 9—chassis; [0027] 10—electrostatic filter with extraction air fan.

[0028] The invention may be implemented as a movable crematorium that includes a chassis (9) bearing a reactor (1) with an input opening (2) configured to close the reactor after a dead body to be cremated is placed inside, and with an output opening (3) connected to an electrostatic filter (10) equipped with an extraction air fan, wherein a portion (5) of the inner surface (4) of the reactor cavity is made of steel, an electrode (6) protrudes into the reactor cavity via an isolating member (7), and the electrode (6) is connected a source (8) of high-voltage pulses, while the electrode (6) is spaced from the portion (5) of the inner surface (4) of the reactor cavity by a gap of 20 millimeters.

[0029] The movable crematorium operates as follows.

[0030] The movable crematorium installed on the chassis (9) is transported to a place of conducting cremation. The portion (5) of the inner surface (4) of the cavity of the reactor (1) is grounded. Dead bodies of humans or animals to be cremated are placed in the crematorium via the input opening (2) and then the input opening (2) is closed. High-voltage pulses are supplied to the electrode (6) from the source (8). As it is known from document [1], large number of streamers occur between the electrode (6) and the grounded conductive portion (5) of the inner surface (4) of the reactor cavity with each pulse. The streamers start multiplying and spreading towards the portion (5), gradually populating the inter-electrode gap and forming corona discharge. Plasma of corona discharge exerts an effect on water contained in the dead bodies to be cremated and causes formation of free radicals upon destruction of water molecules: H.sub.2O.fwdarw.OH.Math.+H.Math.. In addition, other active substances are formed in the reactor under action of corona discharge: O.sub.3, O.sub.2(a.sup.1Δ), H.sub.2O.sub.2, OH, O(.sup.3P), NO, HNO.sub.2 and HNO.sub.3. Corona discharge also causes ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The above-mentioned active substances and UV radiation destroy any organic and inorganic substances contained in the dead bodies to be cremated, thus providing complete destruction thereof and formation of harmless gaseous reaction products, namely, water and carbon dioxide. Non-organic contents of the dead bodies to be cremated are destroyed by acids. Process of oxidation of organic substances is a chain reaction [2]. The destruction chain reaction is initiated by OH.Math. radicals. In other words, plasma-chemical destruction of both organic and inorganic substances contained in the dead bodies to be cremated is provided in the device. Gaseous products of destruction enter the output opening.

[0031] Thus, the specified technical effect is attained in the device by providing a movable crematorium that ensures plasma-chemical destruction of dead bodies of humans or animals.

[0032] Having thus described a preferred embodiment, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the described method and apparatus have been achieved.

[0033] It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.

Non-Patent Literature

[0034] [1] Aristova N. A., Piskarev I. M., Ivanovskiy A. V., Selemir V. D., Spirov G. M., Shlepkin S. I., Initiation of chemical reactions by electrical discharge in dielectric-gas-liquid configuration // Physical Chemistry Journal, 2004, Vol. 78, #7, pages 1326-1331. [0035] [2] Piskarev I. M., Oxidation-reduction processes in water initiated by electrical discharge above water surface // General Chemistry Journal, 2001, Vol. 71, Issue 10, page 1622.