Generation of atmospheric-pressure homogeneous dielectric barrier discharge in air

Abstract

To generate an atmospheric-pressure homogeneous dielectric barrier discharge (APHDBD) in air, a line-plane electrode with a floating-voltage electrode, which consists of a high-voltage electrode, floating-voltage electrode, air-gap, barrier dielectric, and metal electrode, is proposed. Studies of the electric field of the line-plane electrode with a floating-voltage electrode show that strong electric field areas beneficial for generating initial discharges are formed near the contact point between the high-voltage electrode and the floating-voltage electrode. These areas can provide sufficient and evenly distributed initial electrons for the air-gap with relatively uniform and low electric fields. Thus, a filamentary discharge in the air-gap can be inhibited. Experiments show that the floating-voltage electrode makes it easy to reduce the initial discharge voltage and improve the uniformity of discharge. When the air-gap is 2–8 mm, the discharge occurs in the APHDBD mode, and when it is 9 mm, it changes from diffuse-like to corona discharge.