Nano-second pulsed electric field (ns-PEF) for indoor air quality control

• Main Author: Iu, Bing Cheng
• Other Authors: Tse Man Siu
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/67865
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field (nsPEF) has been gaining attention in recent years for its potential in inducing damage to the cell membrane of harmful air-borne micro-organisms leading to their deactivation and hence the possibility of controlling the indoor air quality. The purpose of the project is to study the deactivation of micro-organisms using high voltage nano-second pulsed electric field (nsPEF) and to design a treatment chamber that can be retrofitted to the existing air-ducts in the Air-Handling Unit (AHU) and ensures the desired propagation of the nsPEF for the deactivation of the micro-organisms. This project involved the design of the air treatment chamber for deactivation of the micro-organisms and the design parameters affecting the deactivation of the micro-organisms. The electromagnetic simulation software, Computer Simulated Technology Microwave Studio (CST MWS), was used to simulate the PEF propagation in the treatment chamber. Various parameters were investigated systematically to obtain suitable electric field strength for the deactivation of micro-organisms and at the same time have minimal E-field leakage from the chamber. This study found that the design of the treatment chamber affects the PEF propagation. Absorber liners can also be added to prevent reflection of PEF back to the radiation source causing damage to the source. The chamber dimension and the absorber properties were optimized to obtain the suitable nsPEF requirement for the project.