Comparative Analysis of Electrode Configurations for Bacteria Inactivation Using Electric High-Voltage Pulse Discharge

Ensuring clean and safe water remains a global challenge, with waterborne bacteria posing serious health risks. Among emerging disinfection technologies, high-voltage (HV) pulse treatment offers a novel approach by using intense electric fields to disrupt microbial structures. However, the efficiency of this method largely depends on how the electric field interacts with bacteria, which is influenced by the electrode configuration. In this study, four distinct electrode setups—Needle-Sphere, Needle-Plate, Sphere-Sphere, and Plate-Plate—were investigated to understand their impact on bacterial inactivation. A Marx generator was used to produce controlled HV pulses, exposing Escherichia coli suspensions to varying electrical conditions. Each configuration presented a unique interaction between electric field distribution, discharge characteristics, and microbial response. While some setups generated uniform fields that maximized bacterial exposure, others exhibited localized discharges, potentially limiting their effectiveness. This research delves into how pulse intensity, duration, and electrode geometry contribute to microbial inactivation, offering insights into optimizing HV-based water treatment. By systematically analyzing these factors, the study sheds light on the potential of HV pulse technology to revolutionize disinfection methods. The findings pave the way for developing more efficient, scalable, and environmentally friendly water purification systems, highlighting the critical role of electrode design in achieving reliable bacterial control.