Electrical Parameters Investigation and Zero Flow Rate Effect of Nitrogen Atmospheric Nonthermal Plasma Jet

T. M. Allam¹, S. A. Ward², H. A. El-sayed¹, E. M. Saied², H. M. Soliman¹, K. M. Ahmed¹

¹Plasma and Nuclear Fusion Department, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt.
²Electrical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha University, Cairo, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/epe.2014.612036                

Abstract

The construction and operation of atmospheric nonthermal plasma jet, ANPJ, are presented in this work as well as the experimental investigations of its electrical parameters, the configuration of plasma jet column and its temperature. The device is energized by a low-cost Neon power supply of (10 kV, 30 mA, and 20 kHz) and the discharge takes place by using N₂ gas with different flow rates from 3 to 25 L/min and input voltage of 6 kV. Diagnostic techniques such as voltage divider, Lissajous figure, image processing and thermometer are used. The electrical characteristics of discharge at different flow rates of N₂ gas such as discharge voltage, current, mean power, power efficiency, and mean energy have been studied. The experimental results show that the maximum plasma jet length of 14 mm is detected at flow rate of 12 L/min. The results of plasma jet (heavy particles) temperature along the jet length show that jet plasma has approximately a room temperature at the jet column end. The results of zero flow rate effect on the ANPJ operation show damage in the Teflon insulator and a corrosion in the Aluminum electrodes.

Keywords

Plasma Jet, Lissajous Figure, Gas Temperature, Zero Flow Rate

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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