Is it possible to glow-discharge air at atmospheric pressure?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of creating a glow discharge at atmospheric pressures, as opposed to only in vacuum tubes at high voltages. The possibility of using very high frequency in the radio range to produce a glow discharge is also mentioned. The concept of St. Elmo's fire, a weather phenomenon created by a coronal discharge, is brought up as a potential example.
  • #1
leviterande
106
0
Hi,

I know air can be made ionized and glow at low atmospehres like in vacuum tubes at high voltages. But is it possible to somehow make a glow discharge(not corona discharge out of leaking sharp edges) at atmospheric pressures?. Except of Ionization radiation- I haven't heared or read of this,? If it is possible what would do it? very HV van de graafs only produce gigantic spark discharges so simple hv direct current can never do it I guess. HV HF transformers also produce mostly spark discharges but a very tiny glow I suspect(?). Could in theory, HV at sufficient high frequency in the radio range at sufficient energy produce a glow discharge or what would happen??

Thanks
 
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  • #2
You seem to be asking if it is possible for any situation except for those very situations where it is possible.
A google for "glow discharge in air" yields a lot of possibles ...

This may be close to what you are looking for:
DC glow discharges in atmospheric pressure air
... Zdenko Machala et al, Journal of Advanced Oxidation Technologies
 
  • #3
Yachting people speak of Saint Elmo's fire.
 
  • #4
NascentOxygen said:
Yachting people speak of Saint Elmo's fire.
St. Elmo's fire (also St. Elmo's light[1][2]) is a weather phenomenon in which luminous plasma is created by a coronal discharge from a sharp or pointed object in a strong electric field in the atmosphere (such as those generated by thunderstorms or created by a volcanic eruption).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Elmo's_fire

leviterande said:
...not corona discharge out of ... sharp edges...

That's what I thought of too - however, OP has excluded it from consideration.
 
  • #5
for your question. Yes, it is possible to create a glow discharge in air at atmospheric pressure. This process is known as atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) and it has been studied extensively in recent years. APGD is created by applying a high voltage to a gas, such as air, at atmospheric pressure. This causes the gas molecules to become ionized and emit light, creating the glow effect.

There are several methods to create APGD, including using high voltage direct current (DC) sources, high frequency (HF) sources, and pulsed power sources. The type of discharge produced depends on the parameters of the applied voltage, such as frequency, amplitude, and waveform. For example, with a high frequency source, a stable glow discharge can be achieved, while a pulsed power source can produce a pulsed glow discharge.

In terms of applications, APGD has been used in fields such as material processing, surface modification, and environmental remediation. It has also been studied for its potential in gas sensing and plasma medicine.

In summary, it is indeed possible to create a glow discharge in air at atmospheric pressure, and this phenomenon has been extensively studied and utilized in various fields. Further research is still being conducted to better understand the mechanisms and potential applications of APGD.
 

FAQ: Is it possible to glow-discharge air at atmospheric pressure?

1. Can air be glow-discharged at atmospheric pressure?

Yes, it is possible to glow-discharge air at atmospheric pressure. This process is commonly known as atmospheric pressure plasma or glow discharge plasma.

2. What is glow discharge plasma?

Glow discharge plasma is a type of plasma that is created by applying a high voltage to a gas at low pressure. In this case, the gas is air at atmospheric pressure. The high voltage creates an electric field that ionizes the gas molecules, creating a plasma of charged particles.

3. What is the purpose of glow-discharging air at atmospheric pressure?

Glow-discharging air at atmospheric pressure has various applications, such as surface modification, sterilization, and pollution control. It is also used in plasma-activated water for disinfection and cleaning purposes.

4. How is atmospheric pressure plasma different from low-pressure plasma?

The main difference between atmospheric pressure plasma and low-pressure plasma is the pressure at which they operate. Atmospheric pressure plasma operates at atmospheric pressure, while low-pressure plasma operates at pressures below atmospheric pressure. This difference affects the properties and behavior of the plasma, and thus, their applications.

5. Is it safe to be near atmospheric pressure plasma?

Yes, atmospheric pressure plasma is generally considered safe for humans to be near. However, precautions should be taken when working with high voltages and other potential hazards associated with plasma. It is important to follow proper safety protocols and use appropriate protective equipment when working with atmospheric pressure plasma.

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