Brandon Byrns

Plasma assisted water treatment using an atmospheric air plasma applicator

Plasma assisted water treatment systems present a compelling pathway for modification of water chemistry with reduced dependence on chemicals. Plasma production of oxidizing and reducing agents for chemical abatement, contaminant removal, and production of aqueous chemical agents without chemical feedstock present a potential transformative technology in the area of water treatment.An atmospheric plasma source operating at 162MHz1 is used to form reactive species that are incident on a downstream water source. While studying a variety of water treatment applications, several key challenges for practical implementation of this technology have been identified including improved pathways for water/plasma interaction and optimized chemistry for specific water treatment applications. Design of an improved device with increased efficiency in both airflow and water exposure will be presented. The interaction between the primary plasma discharge and water source, with emphasis on chemical composition and potential pathways for chemistry control are highlighted. Of specific interest is production and characterization of hydroxyl radicals through plasma water interaction. Experiments that characterize plasma conditions (specifically chemistry) andchanges to water chemistry will be presented. Potential applications of interest in the area of water treatment including treatment of perfluorinated compounds, atrazine, and dioxane in water supplies will be presented.

Characterization of atmospheric pressure rf discharges with aqueous plasma facing surfaces

Summary form only given. Plasma modification of liquids has opened a broad range of new applications ranging from wound treatment to water purification to agricultural fertigation and herbicide. Two of the primary challenges facing systems designed to modify liquid chemistry through plasma treatment have been throughput and efficient introduction of liquid species in the active plasma region. In this presentation, we present novel pathways for both source scale up and liquid incorporation that can make plasma treatment of liquids more economically viable.

VHF ballasting for high density atmospheric glow discharges

Summary form only given. A major challenge in the production of large atmospheric glow plasmas is suppressing the transition to a thermal condition at higher power densities. One mechanism for forming a stable glow at moderate power densities is to sustain the plasma with a drive frequency where the glow exhibits ballasting characteristics that suppress the formation of thermally driven instabilities that lead to transition to a thermal discharge.

Rf atmospheric plasma based air filtration using porous metals

Summary form only given. Atmospheric plasmas, specifically RF atmospheric plasmas, provide efficient means for sterilization and biological remediation. Several groups have shown that under ideal conditions total elimination of bacteriological agents, such as E. Coli, is possible. The goal of this project is to design and optimize a flowing air sterilization system based around porous metals and atmospheric RF plasmas, which is compatible with current air handling infrastructure. This system is designed to eliminate organic contaminants down to the viral level with minimal impedance to airflow. Optimization of this system will focus on decontamination efficiencies, minimization of power consumption, and ease of incorporation into existing airflow systems. Unique challenges to this project include: geometries dictated by existing air flow systems, minimizing pressure drops through the system, power consumption, the necessity of a very stable glow discharge, and the interaction of the unique electrical properties of porous metal structures with RF driven plasmas. System design, characterization of the plasma region, and preliminary tests as an inline air treatment system are presented.