Keywords
Cold plasmas, food sterilization, optical emission spectroscopy, dielectric barrier discharge, high voltage
Presentation Type
Event
Research Abstract
There is a growing need for economical, effective, and safe methods of sterilizing fresh produce. The most common method is a chlorine wash, which is expensive and may introduce carcinogens. High voltage cold atmospheric pressure plasmas are a promising solution that has demonstrated a germicidal effect; however, the responsible chemical mechanisms and reaction pathways are not fully understood. To elucidate this chemistry, we used optical emission spectroscopy to measure the species produced in the plasma generated by a 60 Hz pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in a plastic box containing various fill gases (He, N2, CO2, dry air, or humid air). In addition to estimating chemical species concentrations, we performed preliminary calculations of electronic, vibrational, rotational, and translational temperatures.
Session Track
Biotechnology and Chemistry
Recommended Citation
Abhijit Jassem, Michael Lauria, Russell Brayfield II, Kevin M. Keener, and Allen L. Garner,
"Optical Emission Spectroscopy Diagnostics of Cold Plasmas for Food Sterilization"
(August 6, 2015).
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium.
Paper 32.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/surf/2015/presentations/32
Included in
Food Biotechnology Commons, Nuclear Engineering Commons, Plasma and Beam Physics Commons
Optical Emission Spectroscopy Diagnostics of Cold Plasmas for Food Sterilization
There is a growing need for economical, effective, and safe methods of sterilizing fresh produce. The most common method is a chlorine wash, which is expensive and may introduce carcinogens. High voltage cold atmospheric pressure plasmas are a promising solution that has demonstrated a germicidal effect; however, the responsible chemical mechanisms and reaction pathways are not fully understood. To elucidate this chemistry, we used optical emission spectroscopy to measure the species produced in the plasma generated by a 60 Hz pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in a plastic box containing various fill gases (He, N2, CO2, dry air, or humid air). In addition to estimating chemical species concentrations, we performed preliminary calculations of electronic, vibrational, rotational, and translational temperatures.