Apparatus for treating a fluid by electron emission

摘要

A cell or apparatus for treating a fluid by electron emission as the fluid is passed through a space between a dielectric layer located on a surface of a first electrode and a second electrode and as the electrodes are operated by an attached, appropriate circuit to cause electron emission within the space can be constructed so as to improve the efficiency of the cell or apparatus and so as to promote the amount of time which the dielectric layer may be used without breakdown. In constructing a cell or apparatus for this purpose cooling jackets are provided for circulating cooling fluids in contact with the surfaces of these electrodes remote from one another. In accordance with the disclosure the pressures of the fluids used in the cooling jackets and the fluid passing through the space of the apparatus or cell are regulated so as to maintain the electrical characteristics of the cell or apparatus substantially constant. This improves the efficiency of the circuit used to power the cell. In achieving such regulation the pressures are also preferably regulated so that there is substantially no deflection or movement of the dielectric layer. This minimizes the chances of such dielectric layer breaking down.