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