Erosion of spark gap of square-wave high-voltage source for ozone generation

A high-voltage source generating a fast rising square-wave voltage has been developed for a high-efficiency ozone generator. The voltage source incorporates a rotating spark gap switch. The lifetime of the voltage source is determined by erosion of the spark gap switch. In order to obtain a long lifetime, various electrode materials have been experimentally tested. Sintered tungsten with thorium dioxide had the smallest erosion rate among the materials tested in the experiment. Using this material as the switch, the high-voltage source was constructed to operate an ozone generator with an ozone generating rate of 20 g/h. The erosion rate of the switching materials was measured for a period of two months of continuous operation of the ozone generator