The present study aims at highlighting plasma, plasma-activated water (PAW) in particular, as a means of alternative, an innovative and unique method for its application in different aspects of food and vegetable processing and preservation. To investigate the effect of PAW on nutrient retention in vegetables, an experimental set was used to produce PAW that processes deionized water (DI). The concentrations of reactive species in PAW were calculated to compare their effect on nutrient retention. Then, the vegetables were washed with DI and PAW for 20 minutes. The samples were stored at 4 ° C for 14 days. Immediately after washing and on the seventh and fourteenth days, nutrient content levels were measured. The results showed that using PAW causes the nutrients to remain in the vegetables for a longer time. We show that nutrient persistence in vegetables depends on the concentration and the type of reactive species in PAW. تفاصيل المقالة

AbstractIn this paper, uniform argon glow discharge at atmospheric pressure in a diffuse mode driven by a 300-W radio-frequency (13.56 MHz) power supply based on dielectric barrier discharge was investigated. In this work, the effect of the parasitic capacitor on the electrical characteristics of the capacitively coupled atmospheric pressure plasma was investigated. It was revealed that more than half of the RF current is parasitic in our system as a characteristic of the capacitively coupled plasma. It was also proved that the discharge resistance and sheath capacitance increase at higher input powers while the impedance decreases. In order to recognize plasma, optical emission spectroscopy apparatus was used. Argon, oxygen, copper, and nitrogen spectrum lines were diagnosed. The plasma gas temperature and electronic excitation temperature were investigated showing a non-equilibrium discharge. تفاصيل المقالة

AbstractThe results of time-dependent one-dimensional modelling of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in a nitrogen–oxygen–water vapor mixture at atmospheric pressure are presented. The voltage–current characteristics curves and the production of active species are studied. The discharge is driven by a sinusoidal alternating high voltage–power supply at 30 kV with frequency of 27 kHz. The electrodes and the dielectric are assumed to be copper and quartz, respectively. The current discharge consists of an electrical breakdown that occurs in each half-period. A detailed description of the electron attachment and detachment processes, surface charge accumulation, charged species recombination, conversion of negative and positive ions, ion production and losses, excitations and dissociations of molecules are taken into account. Time-dependent one-dimensional electron density, electric field, electric potential, electron temperature, densities of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as: O, O−, O+, O2-documentclass[12pt]{minimal} usepackage{amsmath} usepackage{wasysym} usepackage{amsfonts} usepackage{amssymb} usepackage{amsbsy} usepackage{mathrsfs} usepackage{upgreek} setlength{oddsidemargin}{-69pt} egin{document}$$ { ext{O}}_{2}^{ - } $$end{document}, O2+documentclass[12pt]{minimal} usepackage{amsmath} usepackage{wasysym} usepackage{amsfonts} usepackage{amssymb} usepackage{amsbsy} usepackage{mathrsfs} usepackage{upgreek} setlength{oddsidemargin}{-69pt} egin{document}$$ { ext{O}}_{2}^{ + } $$end{document}, O3, N,N2+documentclass[12pt]{minimal} usepackage{amsmath} usepackage{wasysym} usepackage{amsfonts} usepackage{amssymb} usepackage{amsbsy} usepackage{mathrsfs} usepackage{upgreek} setlength{oddsidemargin}{-69pt} egin{document}$$ { ext{N}}, { ext{N}}_{2}^{ + } $$end{document}, N2s and N2-documentclass[12pt]{minimal} usepackage{amsmath} usepackage{wasysym} usepackage{amsfonts} usepackage{amssymb} usepackage{amsbsy} usepackage{mathrsfs} usepackage{upgreek} setlength{oddsidemargin}{-69pt} egin{document}$$ { ext{N}}_{2}^{ - } $$end{document} are simulated versus time across the gas gap. The results of this work could be used in plasma-based pollutant degradation devices. تفاصيل المقالة

AbstractThe main objective of this study is to investigate the inactivation efficacy of cold streamers in a sealed package on pathogenic fungi Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) spores that artificially contaminated pistachio surface. To produce penetrating cold streamers, electric power supply was adapted to deposit adequate power into the package. The plasma streamers were generated by an alternating high voltage with carrier frequency of 12.5 kHz which was suppressed by a modulated pulsed signal at frequency of 110 Hz. The plasma exposition time was varied from 8 to 18 min to show the effect of the plasma treatment on fungal clearance while the electrode and sample remained at room temperature. This proved a positive effect of the cold streamers treatment on fungal clearance. Benefits of deactivation of fungal spores by streamers inside the package include no heating, short treatment time and adaptability to existing processes. Given its ability to ensure the safety and longevity of food products, this technology has great potential for utilization in food packaging and processing industry. In this study, moisture and pH changes of pistachio samples after plasma streamers treatment were also investigated. تفاصيل المقالة

AbstractIn the present research, the performance of the electrohydrodynamic force in an asymmetric surface dielectric barrier discharge actuator has been investigated at different bias voltages. The effects of DC, AC plus DC (DC-offset), and sinusoidal bias voltages on the force generation have been studied through measuring the electric wind velocity profiles, surface potential, and electric field. The results showed that applying DC and DC-offset biases to the lower electrode instead of connecting it to the ground in a typical case increased the charge deposition on the dielectric surface and consequently reduced the electrohydrodynamic force generation. This effect was also observed in case of exchanging these voltages with AC sinusoidal voltage of the upper electrode. In addition, as a new idea, two-phase shifted AC voltage was applied to the electrodes and the resulting changes have been studied. The obtained results at 180∘documentclass[12pt]{minimal} usepackage{amsmath} usepackage{wasysym} usepackage{amsfonts} usepackage{amssymb} usepackage{amsbsy} usepackage{mathrsfs} usepackage{upgreek} setlength{oddsidemargin}{-69pt} egin{document}$$180^{^circ }$$end{document} phase difference were very noticeable and showed 46% improvement in the maximum velocity of the induced flow relative to the grounded electrode with the same input power. Using this technique, a certain wind velocity can be obtained at relatively lower voltages and input powers compared to the conventional case of grounding the lower electrode. Such a capability is significant in aerodynamic applications, where applying large values of the high voltages may disturb the operational systems. تفاصيل المقالة

AbstractIn this study, non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) was utilized to improve the adhesion of Raw and Frit glazes. These glazes are widely used in industry to make chinaware, decorative dishes and tiles applied at wall and floor. As they should be painted before use, increasing their adhesive properties leads to a better paint durability. Electrical and optical characteristics of the plasma jet are investigated to optimize for efficient treatment. Contact angle measurement and surface energy calculation demonstrate a drastic increase after the plasma treatment indicating wettability and paintability enhancement. Moreover, atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses were performed on the specimens to explore the influence of helium plasma jet on the physical and chemical properties of the glazes, microscopically. AFM analysis reveals surface etching resulted from the bombardment of the solid surfaces by the APPJ using helium fed gas. The process aims to enhance adhesive properties of glaze surfaces. تفاصيل المقالة