Ozone generation system
An ozone generation system which is adaptable for supplying ozone to different medium and small application processes. The system has a source of feed gas, a corona discharge cell receiving the feed gas from the feed gas source and generating ozone for the application process, a flow controller measuring and managing the flow of the feed gas from the feed gas source to the corona discharge cell; and a regulator receiving gas from the corona discharge cell and sending the gas to the application process. The regulator maintains pressure in the corona discharge cell independent of the application process pressure.
1. An ozone generation system for supplying ozone to an application process, the system comprising:
a source of feed gas;
a corona discharge cell receiving the feed gas from the feed gas source and generating ozone for the application process;
a flow controller measuring and managing the flow of the feed gas from the feed gas source to the corona discharge cell, the controller including a first valve controlling the flow from the feed gas source to the corona discharge cell, the first valve responsive to electrical control signals;
an electronics system adjusting the first valve to maintain a constant flow from the feed gas source to the corona discharge cell, the electronics system generating the electrical control signals responsive to calculations of flow of the feed gas through an orifice, a temperature of the feed gas flowing through the orifice, a differential gas pressure across the orifice, and a pressure within the corona discharge cell;
a first pressure transducer measuring the differential gas pressure across the orifice and at intervals measuring a zero differential pressure to recalibrate the first pressure transducer; and
a regulator maintaining pressure in the corona discharge cell independent of pressure in the application process.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow controller further comprises a second valve having a first pneumatic connection to the flow of feed gas before the orifice, a second pneumatic connection to the flow of feed gas after the orifice and a third pneumatic connection to a first input of the first pressure transducer.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first pressure transducer includes a second input connected to the second pneumatic connection, the second valve controllably connecting the first and second inputs of the first pressure transducer to the first and second pneumatic connections, respectively, and connecting the first and second inputs of the first pressure transducer to the second pneumatic connection responsive to the electrical control signals.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the electronics system transmits the electrical control signals to the second valve so that at intervals the first and second inputs of the first pressure transducer are both connected to the second pneumatic connection to measure a zero differential pressure for a recalibration of the first pressure transducer.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the electronics system stores a zero differential pressure measurement value and subtracts the zero differential pressure measurement value from subsequent pressure measurement values from the first pressure transducer.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the regulator comprises a block with an inlet for receiving gas from the corona discharge cell and an outlet for sending the gas to the application process, a flexible diaphragm disposed with respect to the block to cover the inlet and outlet, and a subsystem biasing the diaphragm against the inlet and outlet by gas pressure so that the pressure of the gas flow from the inlet to the outlet is controlled by the gas pressure of the subsystem against the diaphragm.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the subsystem of the regulator further comprises a second gas source and a second regulator in pneumatic communication with the diaphragm, the second regulator setting the gas pressure against the diaphragm to control the pressure of the gas flow from the inlet to the outlet.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the second gas source and second regulator are in pneumatic communication with the diaphragm through a base of a T junction with first and second arms, the first arm connected to the second gas source and second regulator, and the second arm directly connected to ambient air through a second orifice.
9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the subsystem of the regulator further comprises a chamber in pneumatic communication with the diaphragm, a second valve controlling the supply of gas from a source to the chamber, the gas creating pressure in the chamber and against the diaphragm.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the subsystem of the regulator further comprises a third valve controlling the removal of gas from the chamber, operation of the second and third valves controlling the gas pressure of the subsystem against the diaphragm.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the subsystem of the regulator further comprises a pressure transducer in pneumatic communication with the chamber, the pressure transducer providing an electrical signal to control the operation of the second and third valves responsive to the gas pressure of the subsystem against the diaphragm.
12. A flow controller for measuring and managing flow of a feed gas from a feed gas source to a corona discharge cell in an ozone generation system, comprising:
a first valve controlling the flow from the feed gas source to the corona discharge cell, the first valve responsive to electrical control signals;
an electronics system adjusting the first valve to maintain a constant flow from the feed gas source to the corona discharge cell, the electronics system generating the electrical control signals responsive to calculations of flow of the feed gas through an orifice, a temperature of the feed gas flowing through the orifice, a differential gas pressure across the orifice, and a pressure within the corona discharge cell;
a first pressure transducer measuring the differential gas pressure across the orifice and at intervals measuring a zero differential pressure to recalibrate the first pressure transducer.
13. The flow controller of claim 12 , further comprising a second valve having a first pneumatic connection to the flow of feed gas before the orifice, a second pneumatic connection to the flow of feed gas after the orifice and a third pneumatic connection to a first input of the first pressure transducer.
14. The flow controller of claim 13 , wherein the first pressure transducer comprises a second input connected to the second pneumatic connection, the second valve controllably connecting the first and second inputs of the first pressure transducer to the first and second pneumatic connections, respectively, and connecting the first and second inputs of the first pressure transducer to the second pneumatic connection responsive to the electrical control signals.
15. The flow controller of claim 14 , wherein the electronics system transmits the electrical control signals to the second valve so that at intervals the first and second inputs of the first pressure transducer are both connected to the second pneumatic connection to measure a zero differential pressure for a recalibration of the first pressure transducer.
16. The flow controller of claim 15 , wherein the electronics system stores a zero differential pressure measurement value and subtracts the zero differential pressure measurement value from subsequent pressure measurement values from the first pressure transducer.