On the employment of 1φ, voltage-source, switch-mode PWM, DC-AC converters for supplying dielectric barrier discharge devices

This paper presents the performance of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device, when powered by a single phase, voltage source, 4-pulse, PWM inverter. The main focus of this paper is to investigate the applicability of switch-mode inverters in supplying DBD devices to generate plasma body forces. Also, this paper aims to establish relationships between the frequency of the inverter output voltage, switching frequency, and modulation index with the plasma-generated body force. A plate made of Plexiglas dielectric material, which has a relative permittivity of ε ≈ 3.2, is utilized in all experimental tests. Moreover, the test dielectric barrier discharge device is modeled using the linear high frequency model in order to demonstrate its applicability to simulate the responses of these devices. Test results show that the plasma-generated body force has a direct dependence on the frequency of the inverter output voltage and modulation index, while it has a minor dependence on the switching frequency. Furthermore, test results show close matches between the experimental and simulation results that support the use of the linear high frequency model in designing, controlling, and operating inverters for supplying dielectric barrier discharge devices.