Sterilization Using a Wide-Gap Discharge Formed by Dielectric Barrier Discharge Coupled with Surface Discharge under Atmospheric Pressure

For sterilization of surface, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is effective, however, electrode gap should be less than 2 mm to perform efficient sterilization. With wider electrode gap, density of streamers in DBD decreases and the surface is not fully exposed to streamers. This could be a reason for decreased efficiency of sterilization. For practical application of DBD in surface- sterilization, wider gap spacing is preferable. In order to expand the electrode gap, surface discharge has been incorporated as one of the electrode of DBD. Using Bacilus subtilis spore, performance of sterilization was evaluated. When a surface discharge is used in a DBD, the sterilization can be made effectively with the electrode spacing up to 8 mm.