Influence of the Voltage Waveform and frequency on the Elimination of Charges by a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Reducing the unwanted electrostatic charge to a safe level is the goal of any charge neutralization device. The aim of the present work is to study the influence of the voltage waveform and frequency on the efficiency of charge elimination by using a wire-to-grid dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The DBD electrode was subjected to high voltages of various waveforms, amplitudes and frequencies. Three voltage waveforms, namely sinusoidal, square and triangular signals, were studied in neutralization of positively charged polyethylene (PE) granules. The resultant surface potential distribution, before and after neutralization, was measured using an electrostatic voltmeter. The obtained neutralization rates of the three voltage waveforms were compared in view to recommend the most efficient high voltage signal. The DBD currents, transferred charge and consumed power, corresponding to the three signals forms, were measured and compared. The obtained results show that the efficiency of the neutralization using the DBD electrode depends on both amplitude and frequency of applied voltage as well as the signal waveform. The square waveform was the more convenient signal leading to best neutralization results in comparison to the sinusoidal and triangular signals.