Plasma Based Devices
Abstract
The most important result relates to the reduction of emissions from NOx sources, and is basically a breakthrough in energy efficiency, based on the application of a transient, short-pulse plasma. The project was a study of physics and applications of plasma devices, and as a result of promising early data, focused on the use of transient plasma devices for NOx remediation. The most important results are: (1) A cost-effective regime, maintaining the simplicity of a pulsed discharge, was successfully found. (2) The pulsed discharge, a "plasma muffle', achieves results of 30% NOx reduction, requiring less than or equal 10eV/molecule energy cost for flow rates from operating diesel engines, corresponding to operating efficiencies that would be useful for the transportation industry. (3) The role of transient discharges in this process is found to be key, and a preliminary, phenomenological rationale has been found. (4) Further research leading to the understanding of the transient processes, and the subsequent chemistry, promises many new applications. (5) Preliminary results of Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) studies are now available. (6) Low energy cost was found to be driven by current density, so that an efficient operation at a low energy cost is actually better at low current densities. (7) Power modulator design, and reactor design, are found to be interrelated. (8) New reactor and power modulator designs have been developed, and, following the goals of the previous work as well as the requirements for many practical implementations, miniaturization' of the power conditioning is under development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA357943
Entities
People
- Martin A. Gundersen
Organizations
- University of Southern California