Mesh Electrode Plasma Reactor for Particle Retention Under Ionic Winds
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage atmospheric pressure plasma treatments face challenges due to electrohydrodynamic forces, known as 'ionic winds,' which can cause displacement and irregular treatment of lighter and smaller substrates like seeds and powders.
Innovation Solution
A high-voltage dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor with a mesh electrode and a seating portion is designed to generate a plasma field that treats particles while retaining them against ionic winds, using a gap size that is at least three times the thickness of the particles and operating at 10-500 kV/cm with power densities from 0.1-10 W/cm2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-voltage plasma field is generated to treat particles, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but ionic winds cause particle displacement and treatment uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterbalancing forces to offset the harmful ionic winds. A second electrode system generates an opposing electric field that counteracts the ion wind forces, preventing particle displacement while maintaining the beneficial plasma treatment effects. This allows the plasma field to treat particles effectively without the disruptive side effects of ionic wind-induced movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If discharge gap is increased for infield treatment, then adaptability to different substrates is improved, but voltage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing multi-electrode configurations and adjusting electric field distributions to maintain effective plasma generation across varying gap distances. By changing the operational parameters such as electrode polarity sequences, frequency, and field distribution patterns, the system adapts to different discharge gaps while treating diverse substrates without requiring proportionally increasing voltages.
3Productivity
If plasma treatment time is reduced for efficiency, then productivity is improved, but treatment completeness may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through pulsed plasma discharge cycles that alternate between high-power treatment phases and lower-power maintenance phases. This periodic operation allows intensive treatment during active discharge periods while maintaining treatment completeness through repeated cycles, achieving both high productivity and reliable treatment outcomes without requiring continuously long exposure times.
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
This design ensures uniform plasma dosage and effective treatment of light and smaller substrates by constraining particle motion and maintaining uniform exposure to the plasma field, enhancing surface modification and disinfection processes.
Implementation Method 1
a plasma field is generated to treat the particles in the seating portion
Implementation Method 2
high-voltage atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor
Implementation Method 3
the seating portion is configured to retain the particles during treatment in opposition to ionic winds resulting from the plasma field
Implementation Method 4
retain the particles during treatment in opposition to ionic winds
Data Source
AI summary
A plasma treatment device is provided and includes a first electrode, a dielectric body supportive of the first electrode and a second mesh electrode having an opposite polarity as the first electrode and comprising a seating portion. The second mesh electrode is disposed proximate to the dielectric body to define a gap receptive of particles for collection in the seating portion. The gap is sized such that, with the second mesh electrode activated, a plasma field is generated to treat the particles in the seating portion. The seating portion is configured to retain the particles during treatment in opposition to ionic winds resulting from the plasma field.