Dielectric Barrier Plasma Generator for Air Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generating stable cold plasma is challenging due to the need to balance various factors such as voltage, gas composition, airflow rate, humidity, and electrode characteristics, which affects the production and concentration of reactive species, ions, and ultraviolet photons.
Innovation Solution
The use of dielectric-barrier discharge technology to produce atmospheric pressure, low-temperature plasma with a dielectric layer separating electrodes, allowing for controlled ionization and generation of reactive species, including free radicals, which can be used to break down molecules and sterilize air, water, and surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If dielectric-barrier discharge technology is used to generate cold plasma, then sterilization and decomposition effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple electrodes and dielectric layers
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma generation system is divided into multiple discrete electrode-dielectric modules that can be independently configured and optimized. Each module contains specific electrode arrangements (first electrode, second electrode, third electrode) with corresponding dielectric layers, allowing the complex sterilization function to be segmented into manageable units that can be systematically deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
Dielectric layers serve as intermediary elements between electrodes, enabling controlled plasma generation while isolating the complex electrode configuration from direct contact with the treated environment. The dielectric barrier mediates the electrical discharge process, transforming high-voltage electrical energy into controlled plasma that achieves sterilization without requiring direct exposure to complex electrode structures.
2Quantity of substance
If high voltage alternating current is applied for plasma generation, then ionization and reactive species production is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs alternating current at optimized frequencies to generate plasma in periodic cycles rather than continuous operation. The alternating voltage causes periodic ionization and recombination of gas molecules, maintaining high reactive species concentration during active phases while allowing energy dissipation during off-phases, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous DC plasma generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes plasma generation by adjusting multiple parameters including voltage amplitude, frequency, and pulse duration to achieve maximum reactive species production at minimum energy consumption. By changing electrical parameters and matching them with specific dielectric material properties and gas composition, the system finds optimal operating points that balance ionization effectiveness with energy efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If atmospheric pressure plasma is generated, then application versatility is improved, but plasma stability becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma generation system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor plasma discharge characteristics and automatically adjust electrical parameters to maintain stable operation at atmospheric pressure. Sensors detect variations in plasma glow intensity, current flow, or gas composition, and control circuits modify voltage or frequency in real-time to compensate for disturbances, ensuring consistent plasma quality across diverse applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite dielectric materials with tailored electrical and thermal properties to stabilize plasma generation at atmospheric pressure. These composite materials combine insulating properties with controlled breakdown characteristics, allowing the dielectric layers to maintain electrical field distribution and prevent arcing while accommodating variations in gas composition and pressure conditions across different applications.
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 approach enables effective sterilization and decomposition of harmful compounds, including pathogens and carbon dioxide, with minimal power consumption and no wastewater generation, suitable for air purification and industrial applications.
Implementation Method 1
The use of dielectric-barrier discharge technology to produce atmospheric pressure, low-temperature plasma with a dielectric layer separating electrodes, allowing for controlled ionization and generation of reactive species
Implementation Method 2
allowing for controlled ionization and generation of reactive species, including free radicals
Implementation Method 3
cold plasma can be produced by moving accelerated electrons through certain gasses, e.g., helium or air. These electrons impact the atoms and molecules with so much energy that they separate the outermost electrons of the atoms and molecules in the gas, thereby creating a soupy mixture of free electrons and free ions
Implementation Method 4
The plasma generator receives a fluid, communicates atmospheric pressure, low-temperature plasma to the fluid to result in treated fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a plasma generator including a dielectric layer elongated in a longitudinal direction that extends 0.01 mm-2 mm in a thickness direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The dielectric layer defines first and second planar surfaces that are separated in the thickness direction. A first electrode is disposed along a first portion of the first planar surface. A second electrode is disposed along a second portion of the second planar surface, such that at least a part of the first and second portions are separated in the longitudinal direction of the dielectric layer. A power supply is configured to supply electrical power to the first and second electrodes at a predetermined voltage and frequency, wherein plasma is generated adjacent each of the first and second electrodes and along the first and second surfaces of the dielectric layer other than the first and second portions.