Optimizing the Operation of DBD Excilamps

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) excimer lamps are efficient and environmentally friendly sources of ultraviolet (UV). One of the challenges for this technology to be massively adopted is the optimization and effective management of the overall lamp-supply system. Accordingly, a methodology to study the impact of the operating point over the performance and operation of a DBD UV excilamp is developed and experimentally validated. The DBD operating point is parametrically adjusted by means of the power supply current with three independent variables: intensity, frequency, and duty cycle. This methodology allows the determination of the optimal operating point for the particular excilamp under study. These supplying conditions will be later achieved by means of a dedicated electrical generator, which has to be especially designed according to these specifications. It is found that an increment in the current intensity has a positive impact on the lamp efficiency and also leads to the existence of more filamentary discharges. Also, a relation between the energy of the pulse supplied to the DBD and the reactor efficiency can be established. For certain levels of UV power, energy savings on the reactor higher than 50% are attained by proper selection of the operating point.