Post on 16-Jul-2015
Atmospheric Pressure Non-Thermal Handheld Low-Powered Gliding Arc Discharge Plasma System
For Use in Experimental Small Scale Sample Surface Modification Testing
Mk I Prototype
I. System Specifications A.) Power Supply
5kv AC, 15mA, 90W
Automatic mode or manual trigger options
High voltage probe for external oscilloscope voltage monitoring
High voltage connector plugs for device interface
Auxiliary trigger plugs for manual mode operation
Built from scratch using entirely salvaged components
Figure 1: HV power supply enclosure
B.) Plasma Gas Supply
Regular atmospheric pressure air via blower unit
24vdc, 20A blower power supply
24vdc, 14A blower unit
1/2” MIP tube connector for air supply delivery
Airflow adjust valve
Built from scratch using entirely salvaged components
Figure 2: Blower unit
C.) Handheld Electrode Assembly
Modular hand-held electrode design
High voltage plugs for supply voltage
1/2” MIP nylon air supply barb
Interchangeable body assembly with copper foil transmission lines for high voltage low frequency supply to eliminate internal wires and obstruction of airflow
Interchangeable and gap-adjustable electrode head with electrode cover cap/contactor
2” long, 1/16” thick solid brass rod electrodes, bent and mounted in electrode head assembly
Solid schedule 40 PVC body construction
Handle with manual mode trigger switch with wires and connectors
Optimal gap spacing: ignition zone = 1.5mm, extinction zone = 2mm
Optimal airflow: ~75% of full blower supply
Built completely from scratch using low cost commonly available parts and hardware
Figure 3: Handheld electrode assembly
Figure 4: Handheld electrode assembly
Figure 5: Handheld electrode assembly down-barrel view
Figure 6: Handheld electrode assembly activated in use
Figure 7: Gliding arc atmospheric plasma plume close-up
Figure 8: Gliding arc atmospheric plasma plume close-up in the dark
II. Voltage Monitoring
Oscilloscope: Hewlett-Packard Model 120B
High Voltage Divider Probe: R1 = 100M, R2 = 72.5K, Vin = ~5kv, Vout = ~3.62v
III. Treatment Times and Parameters for Various Test Surfaces - For Enhanced Surface Wettability and Contact Angle Testing - With low power HV supply @ optimum electrode spacing and airflow, 1-2mm distance:
1.) Notebook Paper – 10 seconds 2.) Printer Paper – 10 seconds
Figure 9: Untreated vs. Treated areas of common printer paper immediately after plasma treatment
and application of distilled water drop
Figure 10: Untreated vs. treated areas of common printer paper immediately after plasma treatment
and application of distilled water drop mixed with FD&C Blue 1 dye
Non-treated Surface
Plasma Treated Surface
Non-treated Surface
Plasma Treated Surface
3.) Wax Paper – 60 seconds
Figure 11 – Untreated vs. Treated areas of wax paper immediately after plasma treatment. Various
streak tests were performed across the surface of the wax paper between treatment zones using black waterproof ink. Left to right is treated vs. untreated, and top to bottom is from highest treatment time
to lower treatment times. 4.) Scotch tape – 60 seconds
Non-treated Surface
Plasma Treated
Surface