High-Voltage, High-Frequency Pulse Generator for Nonequilibrium Plasma Generation and Combustion Enhancement

This paper outlines the design and implementation of a solid-state high-voltage, high-frequency pulse generator used to drive capacitive loads and particularly, nonequilibrium plasmas at atmospheric pressure. The generator is capable of producing open circuit pulses of 0-12 kV with a 300 ns duration (full-width at half-maximum) at a repetition frequency of 0-25 kHz. The working principles of the generator are presented, along with its electrical diagnostics to illustrate its operation with capacitive loads. The generator was applied to a pin-to-plane electrode configuration to generate a diffuse nonequilibrium plasma discharge with peak voltage of 12 kV. Energy deposition and average power required to drive the discharges in open air at 25 kHz were calculated to be 112 μJ/pulse and 2.80 W. The generator was also applied to lean, stagnation-plate stabilized V-shaped flames to increase their blowoff velocity. A 28%-51% increase of the blowoff velocity is observed using a discharge with the peak voltage of 6.2 kV, and the repetition rate of 25 kHz.