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Dissertation
Non-thermal gliding arc plasma discharges: scaling up and high power industrial applications
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00010954
Abstract
Non-thermal Gliding Arc Plasma Discharge (GAD) is a promising candidate for industrial-scale Plasma-driven Chemical Processing, as they effectively sustain chemical selectivity even under high energy inputs. However, their application has largely been limited to power levels below 2 kW, mainly due to the high gas temperatures (7,000-10,000 °C) generated by higher electric currents, which lead to thermal ionization and increased electrode erosion. This thesis aims to address this limitation by developing and characterizing a scaled-up 20 kW GAD system and evaluating the applicability of GAD for processes requiring high- energy inputs. A 20 kW GAD system was developed based on the energy density and current density criteria required for non-thermal plasma operation. Diagnostic analysis of reduced electric field and thermal equilibrium indicators shows that the scaled-up system maintains non-thermal behavior throughout its operational range. Investigations were conducted to study the applicability of GAD in processes requiring high-power systems, such as 1) Degradation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), 2) Plasma activation of water, and 3) Degradation of tar present in waste-to- energy syngas. The results show that: 1) GAD effectively degrades PFAS without generating any toxic byproducts, 2) Plasma activation of water with GAD decreases surface tension of water by 6%, increases the viscosity by 12%, and reduces the contact angle by 36%, and 3) GAD degrades 100% of the tar from syngas by using energy equivalent to approximately 10% of the syngas's heating value, experiments with the 20 kW GAD showed that the scaled up system degrades significant amount of tar at reasonable energy costs. The findings of this study demonstrate that GAD can be scaled to higher power levels while maintaining chemical selectivity, and it can be effectively utilized in applications that necessitate higher power systems.
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Details
- Title
- Non-thermal gliding arc plasma discharges
- Creators
- Mobish Abraham Shaji
- Contributors
- Alexander A. Fridman (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 206 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Engineering (1970-2026); Mechanical Engineering (and Mechanics) [Historical]; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022054840204721