μs and ns twin surface dielectric barrier discharges operated in air: from electrode erosion to plasma characteristics

Abstract

Electrode erosion through continual long-timescale operation (60 minutes) of identical twin surface dielectric barrier discharges (twin SDBDs) powered either by a microsecond (μs) or a nanosecond timescale (ns) voltage source is investigated. The twin SDBDs are characterized using current-voltage measurements, optical emission spectroscopy, and phase integrated ICCD imaging. The temporally and spatially averaged gas temperature, consumed electric power, and effective discharge parameters (reduced electric field, and electron density) are measured. The μs twin SDBD is shown to operate in a filamentary mode while the ns twin SDBD is shown to operate in a more homogeneous mode (i.e. non filamentary). Despite a similarity of the effective discharge parameters in both the μs and ns twin SDBD, erosion of the nickel coated electrodes caused by operation of the twin SDBD differs strongly. Only the formation of a moderate number of nickel oxide species is observed on the surface of the ns twin SDBD electrodes. In contrast, the nickel coated electrodes are locally melted and considerably higher densities of oxides are observed around the eroded areas of the μs twin SDBD, due to the filamentary nature of the discharge.

Expansion of surface barrier discharge scrutinized

“…First described by Siemens [1] and, independently by Du Moncel [2] in the 1850s, DBDs have opened up a wide area of applications. To mention a few, DBDs are utilized at the generation of ozone [1,3,4], to treat textiles [5], surfaces [6][7][8], liquids [9], and in the case of CO 2 conversion [10,11] as a potential key element to combat climate change. The growing interest in DBDs and the exploration of new applications has led to a great variety of DBD designs and configurations [12].…”

Surface dielectric barrier discharge (sDBD) for flow control in plasma conversion

“…Schücke et al also monitored the density of reactive species in such twin sDBDs and their role in the conversion of n-butane in air by using optical absorption spectroscopy as well as electrical characterization of the microsecond pulse generator showing an efficient VOC removal. Nguyen-Smith et al studied the electrode erosion of these sDBD in operation and compared a microsecond and a nanosecond pulse generator [11] to evaluate the durability of the design for long-term use. The scale-up of this sDBD has been studied by Böddecker et al by combining 5 electrodes in parallel to treat up to 500 slm of gas [12].…”