A LIQUID TREATMENT APPARATUS

摘要

A liquid treatment apparatus comprises a liquid flow channel (26) configured to receive and channel liquid; and plasma generation means. The plasma generation means is arranged and configured to generate a plasma field in the gas phase above the liquid flow channel (26) to contact the surface of the liquid flowing therethrough to act on the liquid to cause impurities dissolved therein to form solid insoluble material which may be removed from the liquid by conventional filtration methods. The plasma generation means comprises at least one electrode (40) defining an anode, and at least one cathode (24) element spaced from the at least one electrode (40). The at least one electrode is located such that when liquid flows through the flow channel (26) the at least one electrode (40) is spaced above the surface of the liquid in the gaseous phase and the at least one cathode (24) is located within the flow channel (26) and arranged such that when liquid flows through the flow channel (26) it is at least partially submerged beneath the surface of the liquid, such that the plasma field is generated in the gas phase and extends to and contacts the surface of the liquid.