Fast and flexible solid-state linear transformer driver for plasma discharge based on metal oxide semiconductor field...

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Plasma Science
• Environmental Engineering

Background:

• Pulsed power supplies with fast rise times and high repetition frequencies are crucial for generating oxidizing radicals (O3, OH) in plasma for wastewater treatment.
• Optimizing energy efficiency and radical generation requires advanced pulsed power systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a 10-stage solid-state linear transformer driver (LTD) with nanosecond rise times for plasma generation.
• To investigate the LTD's capability in driving plasma for effective wastewater treatment.

Main Methods:

• A 10-stage solid-state LTD was designed with a low-jitter control system utilizing optocoupler isolation for pulse synchronization.
• The LTD's performance was evaluated using a 300 Ω resistive load, measuring parameters like rise time, pulse width, fall time, amplitude, and overshoot.
• The developed pulsed generator was employed to drive plasma in a needle-water electrode system.

Main Results:

• A 10-stage LTD achieved a rise time of 6.2 ns, with individual stages exhibiting a 5.4 ns rise time.
• The system generated pulses with an 8.80 kV amplitude and 10 kHz repetition frequency, maintaining low overshoot (<3.97%) and reverse overshoot (<4.82%).
• Flexible and independent adjustment of rise time (6.2-33.0 ns), pulse width (35.9-200.0 ns), and fall time (10.5-27.6 ns) was demonstrated.
• Plasma generated by the LTD in the needle-water electrode system contained abundant, highly active oxygen atoms and hydroxyl radicals.

Conclusions:

• The developed 10-stage LTD is a high-performance pulsed power supply suitable for generating reactive oxygen species for wastewater treatment.
• The system offers adjustable pulse parameters and high energy efficiency, indicating its potential for practical environmental applications.