Theoretical and Experimental Considerations for Bacteria Sterilization Using a Novel Multielectrode Dielectric-Barrier Discharge System

Author

Forde, Edward ; Guiney, Ivor ; Arshak, Khalil ; Adley, Catherine ; Barry, Catherine ; Jordan, Kieran

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electron. & Comput. Eng., Limerick Univ., Limerick

Volume

36

Issue

5

fYear

2008

Firstpage

2805

Lastpage

2815

Abstract

A novel multielectrode dielectric-barrier discharge plasma system operating at atmospheric pressure in air, which has improved microbial inactivation properties is described. The interaction of high-voltage components necessary to create the discharge is outlined, and the unique configuration of electrodes driven by power insulated gate bipolar transistors is put forward. Active species gain is in evidence in this system due to the effective feedforward mechanism employed and are validated by carrying out microbial inactivation studies on E. coli. Both active species gain and microbial inactivation hypotheses are verified by numerical modeling.

Keywords

decontamination; discharges (electric); electrodes; microorganisms; plasma applications; E. coli inactivation; active species gain; atmospheric plasma; bacteria sterilization; feedforward mechanism; medical application; microbial inactivation; multielectrode dielectric-barrier discharge plasma system; power insulated gate bipolar transistor; textile application; Dielectrics; Electrodes; Microorganisms; Numerical models; Plasma accelerators; Plasma applications; Plasma density; Plasma properties; Surface discharges; Surface treatment; Dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD); indirect treatment; multielectrode; sterilization;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPS.2008.2002821

Filename

4674688