Plasma Processes for Renewable Energy Technologies

The use of renewable energy is an effective solution for the prevention of global warming. On the other hand, environmental plasmas are one of powerful means to solve global environmental problems on nitrogen oxides, (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and carbon dioxides (CO2) in the atmosphere. By combining both technologies, we can develop an extremely effective environmental improvement technology. Based on this background, a Special Issue of the journal Energies on plasma processes for renewable energy technologies is planned. On the issue, we focus on environment plasma technologies that can effectively utilize renewable electric energy sources, such as photovoltaic power generation, biofuel power generation, wind turbine power generation, etc. However, any latest research results on plasma environmental improvement processes are welcome for submission. We are looking, among others, for papers on the following technical subjects in which either plasma can use renewable energy sources or can be used for renewable energy technologies: Plasma decomposition technology of harmful gases, such as the plasma denitrification method; Plasma removal technology of harmful particles, such as electrostatic precipitation; Plasma decomposition technology of harmful substances in liquid, such as gas–liquid interfacial plasma; Plasma-enhanced flow induction and heat transfer enhancement technologies, such as ionic wind device and plasma actuator; Plasma-enhanced combustion and fuel reforming; Other environment plasma technologies

Design and Development of a Digital Controlled Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) AC Power Supply for Ozone Generation

A digital controlled dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) AC power supply is designed and investigated. The power source design with a diode bridge rectifier and PWM inverter along with driver circuit are presented. A step up transformer is designed to carry 4.6kW and 10 kVp-p for a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) AC power supply and for ozone generation. An STM (STMicroelectronics) microcontroller is employed to control the phase shift angle of the PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) inverter. The operating frequency of the PWM inverter is 25 kHz. Zero voltage detection can be reached and achieves maximum efficiency. In addition, a high voltage transformer is included The practical results shown that the DBD power supply can be controlled at the chosen value and extreme efficiency can be 87.45 % at 4.6 kW/10 kVp-p

Design and Development of a Digital Controlled Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) AC Power Supply for Ozone Generation

1057-1068A digital controlled dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) AC (Alternative current) power supply is designed and investigated. The power source design with a diode bridge rectifier and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) inverter along with driver circuits are presented. A step-up transformer is designed to carry 4.6 kW and 10 kVp-p for a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) AC power supply and ozone generation. An STM (STMicroelectronics) microcontroller is employed to control the phase shift angle of the PWM inverter. The operating frequency of the PWM inverter is 25 kHz. Zero voltage detection can be reached and achieves maximum efficiency. Also, a high voltage transformer is included. The practical results shown that the DBD power supply can be controlled at the chosen value and extreme efficiency can be 87.45 % at 4.6 kW/10 kVp-p

Industrial and Technological Applications of Power Electronics Systems

The Special Issue "Industrial and Technological Applications of Power Electronics Systems" focuses on: - new strategies of control for electric machines, including sensorless control and fault diagnosis; - existing and emerging industrial applications of GaN and SiC-based converters; - modern methods for electromagnetic compatibility. The book covers topics such as control systems, fault diagnosis, converters, inverters, and electromagnetic interference in power electronics systems. The Special Issue includes 19 scientific papers by industry experts and worldwide professors in the area of electrical engineering

A Novel Power Supply for Generating a One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP®)

A high voltage transformer connected to an atmospheric plasma generator is driven as a current-fed push-pull parallel resonant system, switched by a resonant lamp controller integrated circuit from Texas Instruments (UC3872) in such a manner as to be automatically maintained at resonance. The frequency range of interest is the audio range, which creates a particularly uniform glow discharge in atmospheric pressure air. Frequency control is achieved by a specially constructed high voltage variable capacitor connected parallel to the secondary, in conjunction with a variable parallel primary inductance. Voltage control is achieved by variation of the input DC current amplitude

Optimisation of autoselective plasma regeneration of wall-flow diesel particulate filters

The increase in number of diesel powered vehicles has led to greater concern for the effects of their exhaust emissions. Engine manufacturers must now consider using diesel particulate filters to make their engines meet the legislated limits. Diesel particulate filters can remove more than 95% of the particulates from the exhaust flow but require cleaning, known as regeneration. This thesis describes the research and optimisation of the Autoselective regeneration system for cordierite wall flow diesel particulate filters. The novel Autoselective technology uses an atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma to selectively oxidise particulate matter (soot) trapped within the filter. The aim of this research was to produce a regeneration system that can operate under all exhaust conditions with a low energy demand and no precious metal dependence to compete with the numerous pre-existing technologies. The effect of discharge electrode type and position on regeneration performance has been investigated in terms of regeneration uniformity, power requirement and regeneration rate. The results showed that the electrode orientation had a large effect on regeneration distribution and energy demand. The electrode capacitance and breakdown voltage was shown to affect the choice of power supply circuit because not all power supply topologies were suitable for powering electrodes with >100 pF capacitance. A number of power supplies were designed and tested, a voltage driven resonant transformer type supply was shown to be optimal when used in conjunction with a swept frequency. The current and frequency ranges of electrical discharges were continuously variable, and their effect on discharge regeneration performance was studied. The results showed that the discharge frequency had no effect on the regeneration process but did affect spatial distribution. An optimised resonant transformer power supply was designed that was ideally suited for the electrodes used. A novel power modulation strategy, which used a switching frequency phase locked to the ~ iii ~ modulating frequency, was employed which extended the operating range of the discharge to below 10 mA for electrode separations > 7.5 mm. The heat flows within the filter and discharge during regeneration were analysed and the filter damage process was linked to the heat released by the discharge inside the filter wall. Other filter materials were compared based on the findings and Mullite ceramic was identified as a potentially better filter material for Autoselective regeneration. The filtration efficiency is important and was observed to be affected by the Autoselective process. The effect of the discharge on filtration efficiency was studied and the mechanism of particulate re-entrainment was identified as a combination of electrostatic and electro-acoustic forces. The Autoselective technology was successfully implemented in both flow-rig and on-engine tests. Results showed significant reduction in back-pressure for power inputs of ~ 500 W. The understanding of the Autoselective regeneration system has been improved and the research resulted in a novel method of filter regeneration

Easy to use power electronics converter

This work presents a power electronics converter design philosophy adapted to the needs of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) wanting to integrate them into their products and processes. A basic premise of this research is that the use of power electronics can help advance various processes and equipment. Noteworthy successes in transportation and energy are convincing examples supporting the validity of this premise. Unfortunately, power electronics is an abstract field that takes many years of advanced studies to master. It is unthinkable for most users to modify their power electronics equipment themselves. This has greatly limited its diffusion, remaining unknown and misunderstood by potential industrial users. Our objective is therefore to develop a power electronics converter that is as easy to use as the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) that are so often used in industrial equipment. The converter is designed so that OEM staff can adapt it to improve their process, without the need to become power electronics experts. This philosophy was central to the design of this new power converter. The focus of this work is not on the electrical performance of this converter but on its functionalities designed to simplify its usage by the OEMs. The chapter dedicated to design methodology also covers some reliability and safety aspects of this type of equipment. This subject is often neglected but is crucial to power converter designers. This is especially important when the converter is intended to be used by people less who are less aware of the dangers. The usefulness of the design is presented in the last chapter, with a real industrial application in ozone production reaching up to 1.2MW

Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides in Diesel Exhaust using Dielectric Barrier Discharges driven by current-mode power supplies

Ce travail vise à relever le défi de l'amélioration du traitement des NOx basé sur les décharges de barrière diélectrique (DBD) en mettant en œuvre une solution avec des alimentations en mode courant au lieu de l'approche traditionnelle en mode tension. Dans un premier temps, une alimentation d'expérimentation capable de délivrer des impulsions de courant carrées à plusieurs degrés de liberté est mise en œuvre. Le dimensionnement, l'analyse des éléments parasites et la conception de l'alimentation sont entièrement développés. Avec l'alimentation proposée, le fonctionnement électrique du réacteur DBD est contrôlé par les degrés de liberté suivants : amplitude du courant, fréquence et durée des impulsions, ainsi que le nombre d'impulsions de courant injectées dans le DBD et le temps d'inactivité entre les groupes d'impulsions. L'étude paramétrique des conditions électriques et l’acquisition des mesures concernant le gaz est réalisée à l'aide d'un banc de test automatisé, qui standardise les expériences et simplifie l'acquisition des données. Une méthodologie est proposée pour l'analyse des données, y compris le diagnostic électrique de la DBD, l'analyse des gaz et le traitement d'image des photographies de la décharge. Les résultats expérimentaux ont montré un rôle déterminant du temps de repos sous tension nulle pour garantir un traitement uniforme des gaz, une dispersion des streamers sur toute la surface du réacteur et des températures du réacteur acceptables. L'impact des autres paramètres électriques a également été étudié pour optimiser l'efficacité du traitement. Dans un mélange gazeux NO / N2, des efficacités d'élimination allant jusqu'à 99% ont été obtenues. Les effets de l'injection d’O2, du débit total de gaz et de la concentration de NO ont également été analysés