Experimental Study of SO2 Removal by Pulsed DBD Along with the Application of Magnetic Field

Dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） for SOs removal from indoor air is investigated. In order to improve the removal efficiency, two novel methods are combined in this paper, namely by applying a pulsed driving voltage with nanosecond rising time and applying a magnetic field. For SOs removal efficiency, different matches of electric field and magnetic field are discussed. And nanosecond rising edge pulsed power supply and microsecond rising edge pulsed power supply are compared. It can be concluded that a pulsed DBD with nanosecond rising edge should be adopted, and electrical field and magnetic field should be applied in an appropriate match.     

On the Sequential Control of ITER Poloidal Field Converters for Reactive Power Reduction

Sequential control applied to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Re- actor （ITER） poloidal field converter system for the purpose of reactive power reduction is the subject of this investigation. Due to the inherent characteristics of thyristor-based phase-controlled converter, the poloidal field converter system consumes a huge amount of reactive power from the grid, which subsequently results in a voltage drop at the 66 kV busbar if no measure is taken. The installation of a static var compensator rated for 750 MVar at the 66 kV busbax is an essential way to compensate reactive power to the grid, which is the most effective measure to solve the problem. However, sequential control of the multi-series converters provides an additional method to improve the natural power factor and thus alleviate the pressure of reactive power demand of the converter system without any additional cost. In the present paper, by comparing with the symmetrical control technique, the advantage of sequential control in reactive power consumption is highlighted. Simulation results based on SIMULINK are found in agreement with the theoretical analysis.     

Oxygen-Free Conversion of Methane to Ethylene in a Plasma-Followed-by-Catalyst （PFC） Reactor

Oxygen-free conversion of methane to ethylene was investigated in a two-stage plasma-followed-by-catalyst （PFC） reactor. In the absence of catalyst, pulsed spark discharges and pulsed corona discharges were compared for methane conversion. The results showed that methane was mainly converted to acetylene, but pulsed spark discharges exhibited distinct advantages over the pulsed corona discharges in methane conversion. Thereby, pulsed spark discharges were employed and followed by Ag-Pd/SiO2 catalyst for achieving ethylene as a target product in the PFC reactor. Using the PFC reactor, a steady single-pass ethylene yield of 57% was obtained at a rate of methane conversion of 74%.     

Synthesis of Crystalline Carbon Nitride Thin Films by Pulsed Arc Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure

The preparation of crystalline C3N4 films was investigated using pulsed arc discharge from mixed methanol and ammonia water at atmospheric pressure. The X-ray diffraction （XRD） patterns of the films prepared at a substrate temperature of 450℃ suggested that the film was composed of α-C3N4 and fl-C3N4 crystallites. Raman spectra exhibited distinct peaks which are in good agreement with those predicted theoretically for C3N4 crystallites.     

Treatment of Dyeing Wastewater by Using Positive Pulsed Corona Discharge to Water Surface

This study investigated the treatment of textile-dyeing wastewater by using an electrical discharge technique （positive pulsed corona discharge）. The high-voltage electrode was placed above the surface Of the wastewater while the ground electrode was submerged in the wastewater. The electrical discharge starting at the tip of the high voltage electrode propagated toward the surface of the wastewater, producing various oxidative radicals and ozone. Oxygen was used as the working gas instead of air to prevent nitrogen oxides from forming. The simulated wastewater was made up with amaranth, which is a kind of azo dye. The results obtained showed that the chromaticity of the wastewater was almost completely removed within an hour. The ultraviolet/visible spectra of the wastewater treated by the electrical discharge revealed that the total hydrocarbon level also decreased significantly.     

Role of Duty Ratio in Diamond Growth by Pulsed DC-Bias Enhanced Hot Filament Chemical Vapour Deposition

In this study, the role of the pulse duty ratio was investigated during the deposition of diamond films in a hot filament chemical vapour deposition reactor with a pulsed-tic biased substrate positively relative to the hot filaments. The voltage-current characteristics showed that the discharge current rose with the increase of biasing voltage, which was modified by the duty ratio. Before deposition, two approaches were adopted for the pre-treatment of the silicon substrates, respectively, and the substrates were scratched by diamond paste or seeded by diamond powders using the so-called ＇soft dry polished＇ technique. Diamond films were deposited under a fixed discharge power by changing the duty ratios. In the first group with scratched substrates, it was found that under a high duty ratio the diamond grew slowly with quite poor nucleation, while in the second case a high duty ratio induced a high deposition rate and good diamond qual- ity. Reactive hydrocarbon species with high energy are essential for the initial nucleation process, which is more effectively achieved at a high biasing voltage in the condition of a low duty ratio. In the film growth process, the large discharge current at a high duty ratio represents an increased concentration of electrons and reactive species as well, promoting the growth of diamond films.     

Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves by Drift Vortex in Plasma

In a quasi-two-dimensional model, the scattering of incident ordinary electromag- netic waves by a dipole-electrostatic drift vortex is studied with first-order Born approximation. The distribution of the scattering cross-section and total cross-section are evaluated analytically in different approximate conditions, and the physical interpretations are discussed. When the wavelength of incident wave is much longer than the vortex radius （kia〈〈1）, it is found that the angle at which the scattering cross-section reaches its maxim depends significantly on the approximation of the parameters of the vortex used. It is also found that the total scattering cross-section has an affinitive relation with the parameters of the plasma, while it is irrelevant to the frequency of the incident wave in a wide range of parameters of the vortex. In a totally different range of parameters when incident wave is in the radar-frequency range （then kia 〈〈 1, the wavelength of incident wave is much shorter than the vortex radius）, the numerical procedure is conducted with computer in order to obtain the distribution and the total expression of the scattering crosssection. Then it is found that the total scattering cross-section in the low frequency range is much larger than that in high frequency range, so the scattering is more effective in the low frequency range than in high frequency range.     

Electromagnetic Wave Attenuation in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma

When an electromagnetic （EM） wave propagates in an atmospheric pressure plasma （APP） layer, its attenuation depends on the APP parameters such as the layer width, the electron density and its profile and collision frequency between electrons and neutrals. This paper proposes that a combined parameter -the product of the line average electron density n and width d of the APP layer （i.e., the total number of electrons in a unit volume along the wave propagation path） can play a more explicit and decisive role in the wave attenuation than any of the above individual parameters does. The attenuation of the EM wave via the product of n and d with various collision frequencies between electrons and neutrals is presented.     

Electromagnetic Calculation and Plasma Leakage Rate Analysis of the Magnetically Confined Plasma Rocket

An electromagnetic calculation and the parameters of the magnet system of the magnetically confined plasma rocket were established. By using ANSYS code, it was found that the leakage rate depends on the current intensity of the magnet and the change of the magnet position.     

Synergistic Decolouration of Azo Dye by Pulsed Streamer Discharge Immobilized TiO2 Photocatalysis

Photocatalyst was prepared by immobilizing TiO2 on glass beads using the traditional sol-gel method. Ultraviolet light （UV） produced by pulsed streamer discharge was then used to induce photocatalytic activity of TiO2 photocatalyst. Decolouration efficiency of the representative azo dye （acid orange 7, AOT） was investigated using the synergistic system of pulsed streamer discharge plasma and TiO2 photocatalysis. The obtained results showed that the decolouration rate of AO7 could be increased by 16.7% under the condition of adding supported TiO2 in the pulsed streamer discharge system, compared to that in the sole pulsed streamer discharge plasma system, due to the synergistic effect of pulsed streamer discharge and TiO2 photocatalysis induced by pulsed streamer discharge. The synergistic system of pulsed streamer discharge and TiO2 photocatalyst was found to have more reactive radicals for degradation of organic compounds in water.     

Degradation of Dye Wastewater by Pulsed High-Voltage Discharge Combined with Spent Tea Leaves

Degradation of methylene blue （MB） was performed using the pulsed discharge process （PDP） combined with spent tea leaves （STLs）. The effects of STL dosage, concentration of initial solution, and pH were analyzed in the combined treatment. Results showed that the combined treatment was effective for dye wastewater degradation; when the dosage of STLs was 3.2 g/L, the degradation efficiency reached 90% after 15 rain treatment, and STLs showed a good repeatability. The degradation rate decreased with increasing initial MB concentration but not related to the solution pH in the combined treatment. Fourier-transform infrared spectra and N2 adsorption suggested that the number of acidic and basic groups in the STL surface increased after the treatment, but the surface area and pore volume remained unchanged.     

Degradation of Acid Orange 7 Dye in Two Hybrid Plasma Discharge Reactors

To get an optimized pulsed electrical plasma discharge reactor and to increase the energy utilization efficiency in the removal of pollutants, two hybrid plasma discharge reactors were designed and optimized. The reactors were compared via the discharge characteristics, energy transfer efficiency, the yields of the active species and the energy utilization in dye wastewater degradation. The results showed that under the same AC input power, the characteristics of the discharge waveform of the point-to-plate reactor were better. Under the same AC input power, the two reactors both had almost the same peak voltage of 22 kV. The peak current of the point-to-plate reactor was 146 A, while that of the wire-to-cylinder reactor was only 48.8 A. The peak powers of the point-to-plate reactor and the wire-to-cylinder reactor were 1.38 MW and 1.01 MW, respectively. The energy per pulse of the point-to-plate reactor was 0.2221 J, which was about 29.4% higher than that of the wire-to-cylinder reactor （0.1716 J）. To remove 50% Acid Orange 7 （AO7）, the energy utilizations of the point-to-plate reactor and the wire- to-cylinder reactor were 1.02×10^-9 mol/L and 0.61×10^-9 mol/L, respectively. In the point-to- plate reactor, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in pure water was 3.6 mmol/L after 40 min of discharge, which was higher than that of the wire-to-cylinder reactor （2.5 mmol/L）. The concentration of liquid phase ozone in the point-to-plate reactor （5.7×10^-2 mmol/L） was about 26.7% higher than that in the wire-to-cylinder reactor （4.5×10^-2 mmol/L）. The analysis results of the variance showed that the type of reactor and reaction time had significant impacts on the yields of the hydrogen peroxide and ozone. The main degradation intermediates of AO7 identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry （GCMS） were acetic acid, maleic anhydride, p- benzoquinone, phenol, benzoic acid, phthalic anhydride, coumarin and 2-naphthol. Proposed degradation pathways were elucidated in light of the ana     

Plasma Discharge Process in a Pulsed Diaphragm Discharge System

As one of the most important steps in wastewater treatment, limited study on plasma discharge process is a key challenge in the development of plasma applications. In this study, we focus on the plasma discharge process of a pulsed diaphragm discharge system. According to the analysis, the pulsed diaphragm discharge proceeds in seven stages： （1） Joule heating and heat exchange stage; （2） nucleated site formation; （3） plasma generation （initiation of the breakdown stage）; （4） avalanche growth and plasma expansion; （5） plasma contraction; （6） termination of the plasma discharge; and （7） heat exchange stage. From this analysis, a critical voltage criterion for breakdown is obtained. We anticipate this finding will provide guidance for a better application of plasma discharges, especially diaphragm plasma discharges.     

Yield of H2O2in Gas-Liquid Phase with Pulsed DBD简

Electric discharge in water can generate a large number of oxidants such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. In this paper, a non-thermal plasma processing system was established by means of pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in gas-liquid phase. The electrodes of discharge reactor were staggered. The yield of H2O2 was enhanced after discharge. The effects of discharge time, discharge voltage, frequency, initial pH value, and feed gas were investigated. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide and ozone was measured after discharge. The experimental results were fully analyzed. The chemical reaction equations in water were given as much as possible. At last, the water containing Rhodamine B was tested in this system. The degradation rate came to 94.22% in 30 min.     

Temperature and Nitric Oxide Generation in a Pulsed Arc Discharge Plasma

Nitric oxide （NO） is increasingly being used in medical treatments of high blood pressure, acute respiratory distress syndrome and other illnesses related to the lungs. Currently a NO inhalation system consists of a gas cylinder of N2 mixed with a high concentration of NO. This arrangement is potentially risky due to the possibility of an accidental leak of NO from the cylinder. The presence of NO in the air leads to the formation of nitric dioxide （NO2）, which is toxic to the lungs. Therefore, an on-site generator of NO would be highly desirable for medical doctors to use with patients with lung disease.
To develop the NO inhalation system without a gas cylinder, which would include a high concentration of NO, NAMIHIRA et al have recently reported on the production of NO from room air using a pulsed arc discharge. In the present work, the temperature of the pulsed arc discharge plasma used to generate NO was measured to optimize the discharge condition. The results of the temperature measurements showed the temperature of the pulsed arc discharge plasma reached about 10,000 K immediately after discharge initiation and gradually decreased over tens of microseconds. In addition, it was found that NO was formed in a discharge plasma having temperatures higher than 9,000 K and a smaller input energy into the discharge plasma generates NO more efficiently than a larger one.     

Oxidation of S（IV） in Seawater by Pulsed High Voltage Discharge Plasma with TiO2/Ti Electrode as Catalyst

Oxidation of S（IV） to S（VI） in the effluent of a flue gas desulfurization（FGD） sys- tem is very critical for industrial applications of seawater FGD. This paper reports a pulsed corona discharge oxidation process combined with a TiO2 photocatalyst to convert S（IV） to S（VI） in artificial seawater. Experimental results show that the oxidation of S（IV） in artificial seawater is enhanced in the pulsed discharge plasma process through the application of TiO2 coating electrodes. The oxidation rate of S（IV） using Ti metal as a ground electrode is about 2.0x10-4 mol. L 1. min-1, the oxidation rate using TiO2/Ti electrode prepared by annealing at 500 ~C in air is 4.5x 10-4 tool. L-a ~ min-1, an increase with a factor 2.25. The annealing temper- ature for preparing TiO2/Ti electrode has a strong effect on the oxidation of S（IV） in artificial seawater. The results of in-situ emission spectroscopic analysis show that chemically active species （i.e. hydroxyl radicals and oxygen radicals） are produced in the pulsed discharge plasma process. Compared with the traditional air oxidation process and the sole plasma-induced oxidation process, the combined application of TiO2 photocatalysts and a pulsed high-voltage electrical discharge process is useful in enhancing the energy and conversion efficiency of S（IV） for the seawater FGD system.     

The Oblique Incident Effects of Electromagnetic Wave in Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Layers

The propagating behaviours, i.e. phase shift, transmissivity, reflectivity and absorp- tivity, of an electromagnetic （EM） wave in a two-dimensional atmospheric pressure plasma layer are described by the numerical solutions of integral-differential Maxwell＇s equations through a generalized finite-difference-time-domain （FDTD） algorithm. These propagating behaviours are found to be strongly affected by five factors： two EM wave characteristics relevant to the oblique incident and three dimensionless factors. The two EM wave factors are the polarization mode （TM mode or TE mode） and its incident angle. The three dimensionless factors are： the ratio of the maximum electron density to the critical density no/nor, the ratio of the plasma layer width to the wave length d/λ, and the ratio of the collision frequency between electrons and neutrals to the incident wave frequency veo/f.     

Heavy Ion Source with Pulsed Magnetic Field

A compact P.I.G. ion source with pulsed field and end extraction is described. The source produces multiply ionized N, C, Ne, A, Kr and Xe. Pulsed currents of C3+, N3+, Ne3+, A3+, Kr3+ , Xe6+ between a few tens of ?A and a few hundreds of ?A have been obtained. Small size and power consumption make it compatible with a Van de Graaff terminal where space and power are at a premium.     

Design of the Control System of Toroidal Field （TF） Power Supply for J-TEXT Tokamak

J-TEXT, formerly TEXT-U at the University of Texas at Austin in USA, is a medium-sized tokamak at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The toroidal field （TF） power supply of this tokamak should provide a current of 160 kA and a flat duration of 500 ms for the toroidal field coils to generate a maximum toroidal field of 3 T at the geometric center of the vaccum vessel. This paper presents a design of a new control system which takes the real-time feedback control option for the TF power supply operation. The system was tested successfully during the commissioning. In the first experimental campaign of J-TEXT, the system effectively controlled the power supply to provide a fiat current up to 92.5 kA and therein the TF produced reached 1.74 T, which enabled the machine to generate the first plasma successfully.