Resonant DBD Drive Circuit With Pulse-Train Ignition Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) devices face challenges in achieving high power transfer efficiency and limiting current stress due to low power factor, leading to inefficient pollutant reduction and limited average power transfer, with existing systems either dissipating energy or heating gases, and conventional resonant power converters failing to effectively generate reactive species.
Innovation Solution
A drive circuit for DBD devices that utilizes a resonant tank with pulse-trains, tuned to a resonant frequency, limiting discharge ignition events to a maximum number and incorporating a phase meter to manage energy transfer, thereby reducing current stress and protecting circuits from short-circuits, while using a transformer to optimize voltage gain and reduce energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high voltage slew rates and short pulse-widths are used to increase reactor efficiency, then pollutant reduction efficiency is improved, but power factor becomes low and power transfer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulse-trains at resonant frequency to excite the DBD device. By operating at resonance, the system achieves both high voltage slew rates for efficient pollutant reduction and improved power transfer efficiency through minimized reactive power circulation. The periodic nature of resonant excitation allows sustained high-voltage pulses while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by tuning the pulse frequency to match the resonant frequency of the DBD device. This parameter adjustment transforms the system from a low-efficiency pulsed operation to a high-efficiency resonant operation, simultaneously achieving high voltage slew rates and improved power factor.
2Loss of energy
If continuous high frequency AC excitation is used to achieve good power conversion efficiency, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but reactive species generation decreases and pollutant reduction effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulse-trains rather than continuous AC excitation. The pulsed nature of the excitation creates the high voltage slew rates necessary for effective pollutant reduction, while the resonant frequency tuning maintains good power conversion efficiency. The periodic interruption of power delivery prevents gas heating while sustaining reactive species generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the excitation mode from continuous to pulsed at resonant frequency. This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve both efficient power conversion and effective pollutant reduction by delivering high-voltage pulses only when needed, rather than continuous excitation that heats the gas.
3Speed
If high peak currents are required to achieve voltage rise-time for dielectric barrier electrical discharge, then discharge ignition is achieved, but current stress increases and circuit components face damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes electrical resonance (analogous to mechanical vibration) to achieve voltage amplification. By exciting the DBD device at its resonant frequency, the system naturally amplifies the voltage output without requiring proportionally high input currents. This resonant voltage amplification maintains fast voltage rise-times while significantly reducing the current stress on power electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonant circuit acts as an intermediary between the power supply and the DBD device. It transforms the low-voltage, high-current output of the power supply into high-voltage, low-current excitation of the DBD device, thereby protecting power electronic components from excessive current stress while achieving the required voltage rise-time.
4Reliability
If pulse repetition frequency is limited to protect power electronics from overheating, then component safety is improved, but average electrical power transferred to plasma decreases and effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pulse-trains at resonant frequency that maximize power transfer during active discharge phases. The resonant operation ensures that each pulse delivers maximum energy to the plasma, allowing lower pulse repetition frequencies to achieve the same average power transfer as higher frequencies would without resonance, thereby protecting components while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter to resonant frequency, which fundamentally alters the energy transfer characteristics. At resonance, the system achieves maximum power transfer efficiency, allowing the use of lower pulse repetition frequencies to deliver the same average power to the plasma, thus protecting power electronics from overheating while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
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 solution achieves high power transfer efficiency with reduced energy dissipation and current stress, enabling effective pollutant reduction by generating high-energy electrons for chemical reactions, while protecting components from damage and optimizing energy recovery.
Implementation Method 1
power is provided in use to the tank in pulse-trains, a pulse frequency of each pulse-train being tuneable in use to a resonant frequency of the tank
Implementation Method 2
power provided by each pulse-train charging and maintaining the tank to a threshold at which discharge ignition occurs
Implementation Method 3
dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) devices, such as DBD type reactors, are able to be used to remove unwanted substances from fluids
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a drive circuit for a dielectric barrier discharge device. The drive circuit comprises: a power supply connectable in use across a dielectric discharge gap, the dielectric discharge gap providing a capacitance; and an inductance between the power supply and the dielectric discharge gap when connected thereby establishing a resonant tank in use, wherein power is provided in use to the tank in pulse-trains and only during a pulse-train, a pulse frequency of each pulse-train being tuneable in use to a resonant frequency of the tank, power provided by each pulse-train charging and maintaining the tank to a threshold at which discharge ignition occurs, discharge ignition events per pulse-train being limited to a maximum number based on the drive circuit being arranged in use to prohibit each pulse-train transferring power to the resonant tank after the maximum number has occurred.