The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of air and oxygen injected into the underwater non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBD plasma) device used to remove five types of antibiotics (tetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, clindamycin, and erythromycin) artificially contained in the fish farm discharge water. The voltage given to generate DBD plasma was 27.8 kV, and the measurement intervals were 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 minutes. Tetracycline antibiotics significantly decreased in 4 minutes when air was injected and were reduced in 30 seconds when oxygen was injected. After the introduction of air and oxygen at 32 minutes, 78.1% and 95.8% of tetracycline were removed, 77.1% and 96.3% of doxycycline were removed, and 77.1% and 95.5% of oxytetracycline were removed, respectively. In air and oxygen, 59.6% and 83.0% of clindamycin and 53.3% and 74.3% of erythromycin were removed, respectively. The two antibiotics showed lower removal efficiency than tetracyclines. In conclusion, fish farm discharge water contains five different types of antibiotics that can be reduced using underwater DBD plasma, and oxygen gas injection outperformed air in terms of removal efficiency.

This study investigated the degradation characteristics and biodegradability of phenol, refractory organic matters, by injecting MgO and CaO-known to be catalyst materials for the ozonation process-into a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma. MgO and CaO were injected at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2 g/L, and the pH was not adjusted separately to examine the optimal injection amounts of MgO and CaO. When MgO and CaO were injected, the phenol decomposition rate was increased, and the reaction time was found to decrease by 2.1 to 2.6 times. In addition, during CaO injection, intermediate products combined with Ca2+ to cause precipitation, which increased the COD (chemical oxygen demand) removal rate by approximately 2.4 times. The biodegradability of plasma treated water increased with increase in the phenol decomposition rate and increased as the amount of the generated intermediate products increased. The biodegradability was the highest in the plasma reaction with MgO injection as compared to when the DBD plasma pH was adjusted. Thus, it was found that a DBD plasma can degrade non-biodegradable phenols and increase biodegradability.

This objective of this study was to investigate the degradation characteristics of phenol, a refractory substance, by using a submerged dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor. To indirectly determine the concentration of active species produced in the DBD plasma, the dissolved ozone was measured. To investigate the phenol degradation characteristics, the phenol and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations were evaluated based on pH and the discharge power. The dissolved ozone was measured based on the air flow rate and power discharged. The highest dissolved ozone concentration was recorded when the injected air flow rate was 5 L/min. At a discharge power of 40W as compared to 70W, the dissolved ozone was approximately 2.7 – 6.5 times higher. In regards to phenol degradation, the final degradation rate was highest at about 74.06%, when the initial pH was 10. At a discharged power of 40W, the rate of phenol decomposition was observed to be approximately 1.25 times higher compared to when the discharged power was 70W. It was established that the phenol degradation reaction was a primary reaction, and when the discharge power was 40W as opposed to 70W, the reaction rate constant(k) was approximately 1.72 times higher.

본 연구는 대기압 유전체장벽방전 플라즈마 처리에 따른 식품유해 미생물 사멸효과를 조사하기 위해 수행되었다. 플라즈마 처리 시, 활성종 생성 및 농도에 영향을 미치는 노출시간, 노출거리, 산소비율, 전력 변화에 따른 E. coli의 사멸효과를 조사한 결과, E. coli의 사멸율은 플라즈마 처리를 위한 노출시간, 산소비율, 전력의 증가에 따라 증가한 반면, 노출거리의 증가에 따라서는 사멸율이 감소하였다. 이 결과는 미생물 시료가 플라즈마에 노출되는 시간이 증가됨으로서 시료 내 NO 농도가 증가되고, E.coli의 사멸율 역시 증가되는 결과로 뒷받침할 수 있고, 미 생물 사멸효과를 높이기 위해서는 활성종의 농도가 증가 되어야 함을 의미한다. E. coli와 함께 B. cereus, B. subtilis, B. thuringiensis, B. atrophaeus를 대상으로 대기압 유전체 장벽방전 플라즈마에 의한 살균효과를 조사한 결과, 72.3~91.3%의 높은 사멸율을 나타내었다. 이러한 결과로 미루어, 대기압 유전체장벽방전 플라즈마기술은 다양한 미생물에 적용될 수 있는 유용한 살균기술임을 확인하였다.

This work investigated the decomposition of aqueous anatoxin-a originated from cyanobacteria using an underwater dielectric barrier discharge plasma system based on a porous ceramic tube and an alternating current (AC) high voltage. Plasmatic gas generated inside the porous ceramic tube was uniformly dispersed in the form of numerous bubbles into the aqueous solution through the micro-pores of the ceramic tube, which allowed an effective contact between the plasmatic gas and the aqueous anatoxin-a solution. Effect of applied voltage, treatment time and the coexistence of nutrients such as NO3 -, H2PO4 - and glucose on the decomposition of anatoxin-a was examined. Chemical analyses of the plasma-treated anatoxin-a solution using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and ion chromatography (IC) were performed to elucidate the mineralization mechanisms. Increasing the voltage improved the anatoxin-a decomposition efficiency due to the increased discharge power, but the energy required to remove a given amount of anatoxin-a was similar, regardless of the voltage. At an applied voltage of 17.2 kV (oxygen flow rate: 1.0 L min-1), anatoxin-a at an initial concentration of 1 mg L-1 (volume: 0.5 L) was successfully treated within 3 min. The chemical analyses using LC-MS and IC suggested that the intermediates with molecular weights of 123~161 produced by the attack of plasma-induced reactive species on anatoxin-a molecule were further oxidized to stable compounds such as acetic acid, formic acid and oxalic acid.

최근에 반도체의 식각 및 증착, 금속 및 고분자의 표면처리, 신물질의 합성 등에서 저온플라즈마(low-temperature plasma)가 이용되고 있으며, 공정의 미세화 및 저온화 때문에 응용분야가 점점 더 확대되고 있다. 본 연구는 전분의 인산화 반응에 있어 유전체 장벽 방전(dielectric barrier discharge, DBD) 저온플라즈마를 친환경 반응촉매로서의 적용 가능성을 탐색하는 것이다. 전분의 인산화를 위한 반응혼합물을 제조하기 위해, NaH2PO4와 Na2HPO4를 탈이온수에 용 해시켜 pH를 4, 5, 6으로 조정한 후 일반옥수수전분을 가하여 상온에서 20분 동안 교반하여 50℃에서 수분함량이 10% 미만이 될 때까지 건조하고 분쇄·선별하였다. 제조된 반응혼합물은 DBD 저온플라즈마 장치에 수용하여 밀폐하 고 아르곤(Ar) 가스를 공급하면서 결정된 전압에서 유전체 장벽을 방전시켜 형성된 저온플라즈마 하에서 일정시간 동 안 처리하였다. 전분의 인산화에 대한 DBD 저온플라즈마의 처리조건의 영향을 조사하기 위해 반응혼합물의 pH (4, 5 및 6), 전압(100, 120 및 140 V), 처리시간(10, 20 및 30 min)을 요인으로 하여 Box-Benhken 실험디자인으로부터 17 개의 실험점들을 설계하였다. 실험조건에 따라 처리된 반응혼합물들은 50% 에탄올 수용액으로 세척한 후 신속점도분 석기를 이용하여 페이스팅 점도를 조사하였다. 처리되지 않은 반응혼합물의 페이스팅 점도에 대한 처리된 반응혼합물 의 페이스팅 점도의 변화량을 반응표면분석법을 이용하여 분석하였다. DBD 저온플라즈마 처리는 반응혼합물의 페이 스팅 점도를 무처리 반응혼합물의 페이스팅 점도에 비해 증가시키거나 낮추는 효과를 나타내었다. 따라서 저온플라즈 마 처리를 통해 전분과 인산염 사이의 인산화 반응을 달성할 수 있는 것으로 생각된다.

식품의 열에 의한 손상을 줄이고 안전성을 높이기 위한 비열살균기술로 유전체장벽방전 플라즈마(DBDP) 이용 가능성을 타진하기 위하여 E. coli에 대한 살균효과를 전류세기와 전극간격을 달리하여 조사하였다. DBDP 살균효과는 초기에는 크게 나타나다가 이후 감소하는 2 구간으로 구성된 1차 반응으로 나타났고, 전류세기에 따라 살균효과가 증가하였다. 전극간격에 따른 살균력은 2.65 mm에서 가장 높았으며, 3.33 mm, 1.85 mm 순으로 감소하였다. DBDP 살균패턴은 Singh-Heldman 모델에 적합하였으며, 시료를 고정하고 DBDP를 처리한 경우 곡선형상계수(n)는 0.545-0.783 범위의 값을, D'-value는 0.565-3.268min의 값을 보였다. 최소 D'-value는 전극간격 2.65mm, 전류 1.25 A에서 나타나 가장 우수한 살균력을 보이는 조건으로 확인되었다. DBDP 처리 시 시료를 이동시키면 고정하여 처리한 경우에 비하여 살균효과는 크게 향상되었으며, 양방향 이동식 처리가 단일방향 이동식 처리에 비하여 양호한 살균력을 보였다.

비열살균기술로서 저온플라즈마 활용 가능성을 탐색하고자 유전체장벽 방전 플라즈마(DBDP)생성장치를 제작하여 최적 플라즈마생성 조건을 도출하고 Staphylococcus aureus를 대상으로 살균성능을 조사하였다. DBDP생성장치는 전력공급장치, 변압기, 전극, 시료처리부 등 네 부분으로 구성하였다. 인가전압은 단상 200 V AC를 사용하고, 변압기를 통하여 10.0-50.0 kV로 변환하고 10.0-50.0 kHz의 주파수의 펄스 구형파를 유전체인 세라믹 블록 내에 장치한 전극에 투입함으로써 상압에서 플라즈마를 생성하였다. 주파수를 올림에 따라 높은 전류가 유입되었고, 이에 비례하여 전력소비량이 증가하였다. 전류세기 1.0-2.0 A, 주파수 32.0-35.3 kHz 범위에서 균일하고 안정적인 플라즈마 발생이 이루어졌으며 시료를 투입하지 않은 상태에서의 최적 전극간격은 1.85 mm 이었다. 전극간격을 높임에 따라 소비 전력이 증가하였으나 시료 처리에 적합한 전극간격은 2.65 mm였다. DBDP 처리에 의한 온도상승은 최대 20oC에 불과하여 열에 의한 생물학적 효과는 무시할 수 있었으며 따라서 비열기술임이 확인되었다. Staphylococcus aureus를 대상으로 DBDP 처리할 경우 초기 5분 동안은 살균치가 직선적인 증가를 보이다가 이후 다소 완만해지는 경향을 보였으며 1.25 A에서 10분간 처리 시 살균치는 5.0을 상회하였다.

This study was conducted to investigated the possibility of inactivating wilt germs (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis lycopersici) using Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma in a hydroponic system. Recirculating hydroponic cultivation system for inactivation was consisted of planting port, LED lamp, water tank, and circulating pump for hydroponic and DBD plasma reactor. Two experiments were conducted: batch and intermittent continuous process. The effect of plasma treatment on Total Residual Oxidants (TRO) concentration change, Fusarium inactivation and growth of lettuce were investigated. In the batch experiment, most of the Fusarium was inactivated at a TRO concentration of 0.15 mg/L or more at four-day intervals. There was no change in lettuce growth after two times of plasma treatment for one week. The intermittent continuous experiment consisted of 30-minute, 60-minute, and 90-minute plasma treatment in 2 day intervals and 30-minute treatment a one-day; most of the Fusarium was inactivated only by treatment for 30-minute every two days. However, if inactivation under 101 CFU/mL is required, it will be necessary to treat for 60 minutes in 2 day intervals. The plasma treatment caused no damage to the lettuce, except the 30 min plasma treatment ay the one-day interval. It was considered that the residual TRO concentration was higher than that of the other treatments.

Many chemically active species such as ·H, ·OH, O3, H2O2, hydrated e-, as well as ultraviolet rays, are produced by Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma in water and are widely use to remove non-biodegradable materials and deactivate microorganisms. As the plasma gas containing chemically active species that is generated from the plasma reaction has a short lifetime and low solubility in water, increasing the dissolution rate of this gas is an important challenge. To this end, the plasma gas and water within reactor were mixed using the air-automizing nozzle, and then, water-gas mixture was injected into water. The dissolving effect of plasma gas was indirectly confirmed by measuring the RNO (N-Dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline, indicator of the formation of OH radical) solution. The plasma system consisted of an oxygen generator, a high-voltage power supply, a plasma generator and a liquid-gas mixing reactor. Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of location of air-automizing nozzle, flow rate of plasma gas, water circulation rate, and high-voltage on RNO degradation. The experimental results showed that the RNO removal efficiency of the air-automizing nozzle is 29.8% higher than the conventional diffuser. The nozzle position from water surface was not considered to be a major factor in the design and operation of the plasma reactor. The plasma gas flow rate and water circulation rate with the highest RNO removal rate were 3.5 L/min and 1.5 L/min, respectively. The ratio of the plasma gas flow rate to the water circulation rate for obtaining an RNO removal rate of over 95% was 1.67 ~ 4.00.

Non-thermal plasma processing using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) has been investigated as an alternative method for the degradation of non-biodegradable organic compounds in wastewater. The active species such as OH radical, produced by the electrical discharge may play an important role in degrading organic compound in water. The degradation of N, N-Dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline (RNO) was investigated as an indicator of the generation of OH radical. The DBD plasma reactor of this study consisted of a plasma reactor, recycling pump, power supply and reservoir. The effect of diameter of external reactor (15 ∼ 40 mm), width of ground electrode (2.5 ∼ 30 cm), shape (pipe, spring) and material (copper, stainless steel and titanium) of ground electrode, water circulation rate (3.1 ∼ 54.8 cm/s), air flow rate (0.5 ∼ 3.0 L/min) and ratio of packing material (0 ∼ 100 %) were evaluated. The experimental results showed that shape and materials of ground were not influenced the RNO degradation. Optimum diameter of external reactor, water circulation rate and air flow rate for RNO degradation were 30 mm, 25.4 cm/s and 4 L/min, respectively. Ground electrode length to get the maximum RNO degradation was 30 cm, which was same as reactor length. Filling up of glass beads decreased the RNO degradation. Among the experimented parameters, air flow rate was most important parameters which are influenced the decomposition of RNO.

A Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma is shown in the present investigation to be effective of phenol degradation in the aqueous solutions in batch reactor with continuous air bubbling. Removal of phenol and effects of various parameters on the removal efficiency in the aqueous solution with high-voltage streamer discharge plasma are studied. The effect of 1st voltage (80 ~ 220 V), air flow rate (3 ~ 7 L/min), pH (3 ~ 11), electric conductivity of solution (4.16 μS/cm, deionized water) ~ 16.57 mS/cm (addition of NaCl 10 g/L) and initial phenol concentration (2.5 ~ 20.0 mg/L) were investigated. The observed results showed that phenol degradation was higher in the basic solution than that of the acidic. The optimum values on the 1st voltage and air flow rate for phenol degradation were 140 V and 6 L/min, respectively. It was considered that absorbance variation of UV254 of phenol solution can be use as an indirect indicator of change of the non-biodegradable organic compounds within the treated phenol solution. Electric conductivity was not influenced the phenol degradation. To obtain the removal efficiency of phenol and COD of phenol over 97 % (initial phenol concentration, 10.0 mg/L), 80 min and 120 min were need, respectively. Phenol and COD degradation showed a pseudo-first order kinetics.