Revolutionary Pulsed Power Corona Technology for air pollution treatment

A journey from scientific research toward practical industrial applications By: Date: Organisation: Rienk Geertsma March 2013 HMVT

By combining their strengths, Oranjewoud/HMVT, a Dutch environmental company and the Technical University of Eindhoven are the first to succeed in creating the next generation air treatment systems based upon high frequency pulsed - cold plasma. Throughout history man has attempted and succeeded to copy natures secrets. From the healing substances hidden within the tropical rainforests to the aero dynamical forms of our aquatic vertebrates. One of the most powerful natural phenomena has yet to be fully understood: lightning. And yes, man has also attempted to simulate lightning. During an electrostatic discharge, such as a lightning flash, the affected atmospheric molecules become electrically overstressed. The diatomic oxygen molecules are split, and then recombine to form ozone (O3), which is unstable and/or reacts with metals and organic matter. Air pollution consists more often of volatile organic carbon (VOC). You may say that every time lightning strikes, mother nature is purifying its own air. Unfortunately, when looking at the distribution of lightning around the globe, the least lightning strikes are registered there where the largest concentration of potential industrial emissions are present. There is no button somewhere to induce a the lightning flash when needed. The question then rises: how can we harness the powers of this magnificent phenomena and mould it to such a form that we can use it when, where and how we want? The answer was found in the possibilities within Corona (cold) Plasma. After decades of research and multiple application areas, from halogen lighting to textile surface treatment, the step was made to air purification. A number of companies around the world have developed air purification systems based on cold plasma technology. Its main application within odour abatement and fine-dust filtration. You may also find small-scale corona installations in restaurant kitchens to treat odours. Oranjewoud/HMVT, expert in environmental consultancy and supplier of technical solutions for soil-, water- and air treatment has combined its forces with the Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e) to create a new and improved air treatment system based upon high frequency pulsed cold plasma technology. Where other companies have reached their limits using cold plasma mainly for odour abatement, we have succeeded in lifting this technology to a next level of air treatment systems: with our pulsed power corona systems we are able to be 10 times more efficient then current systems. Also, we have gone further than odour abatement by successfully treating more difficult to crack substances like VOCs, NO x, H2S and NH3. With our direct pulsed cold plasma systems, a powerful plasma field is created where radicals, ions and electrons are waiting to react with pollutant substances in air emission. This technique is designed for industrial purposes with high-flows and can be used as end of pipe solution or as pre-treatment step to unburden an existing airtreatment system. In our presentation during the Atmos Fair, we will take you on a journey where we will shortly look into the core of pulsed power corona plasma technology but where we mainly want to present to you our first astonishing air emission treatment field results and experiences within different industrial areas. Welcome to the next generation of air treatment systems.