Cylindrical Electrode Plasma Generator for Large-Volume Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sterilization and disinfection technologies face limitations in large-volume applications due to high-temperature sensitivity of materials, incomplete disinfection of hygroscopic materials, flammability and toxicity of ethylene oxide, long sterilization times, and limited coverage of radiation methods, especially in biological and medical contexts.
Innovation Solution
A plasma generating apparatus using a cylindrical electrode with through holes and a feed-through device to ionize gas with medium frequency power, generating plasma for effective sterilization and disinfection in a large-volume plasma treatment system, which includes a plasma treatment chamber for diffusing plasma and maintaining stability without a network matcher.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If high-voltage discharge is used to generate plasma, then plasma can be obtained, but high-temperature spark or arc discharge is easily formed which is disadvantageous for biological and medical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters from high-voltage to medium-frequency power supply, and controls the gas pressure to maintain plasma in a low-temperature state suitable for biological and medical applications, avoiding material damage while maintaining sterilization effectiveness
2Temperature
If dielectric barrier discharge or surface discharge is used to obtain low-temperature plasma, then plasma can be generated, but a small working distance between electrodes is required which poses great difficulty in manufacturing large-volume sterilization devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar electrode configuration with small working distance to a three-dimensional cylindrical electrode structure with hollow cathode discharge, enabling plasma generation in a large-volume chamber while maintaining low temperature through volumetric discharge distribution
3Reliability
If conventional sterilization methods are used, then sterilization can be achieved, but long sterilization time is required (e.g., more than 6 hours for EO fumigation)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic medium-frequency power supply to generate pulsed plasma discharge, creating high concentrations of reactive species that dramatically accelerate the sterilization kinetics, reducing sterilization time from hours to minutes while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma process generates strong oxidizing agents including ozone and atomic oxygen that rapidly destroy microorganisms through oxidation of cellular components, achieving complete sterilization much faster than conventional thermal or chemical methods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves efficient and rapid sterilization and disinfection across large volumes with high-energy ions and neutral activated particles, overcoming material sensitivity and toxicity issues, and providing broad-spectrum sterilization with reduced processing time and no toxic residues.
Implementation Method 1
configured to receive the MF power from the feed-through device and ionize a gas to generate plasma
Implementation Method 2
The plasma can be used for etching. Neutral activated particles in the plasma can chemically react with proteins and nucleic acids of the microorganism, interfering with the survival function of the microorganism or even destroying the microorganism, thereby achieving the sterilization and disinfection effect
Data Source
AI summary
A plasma generating apparatus includes a feed-through and a cylindrical electrode. The feed-through device is configured to feed a medium frequency (MF) power. The cylindrical electrode includes a plurality of through holes in a wall of the cylindrical electrode and is connected to the feed-through device and configured to receive the MF power from the feed-through device and ionize a gas to generate plasma. The cylindrical electrode includes a main body; and an end cover fixed to one end of the main body. The feed-through device includes a feed-through conductor electrically connected to the cylindrical electrode and configured to feed the MF power to the cylindrical electrode, and a feed-through insulating layer covering at least a part of the feed-through conductor.