The use of low-temperature plasma for disinfection of open surfaces of industrial premises

Abstract

The results of research on inactivation of microorganisms on open surfaces of poultry houses using low-temperature non-equilibrium plasma are presented. AC electrospark discharge at atmospheric pressure was used as its source. Discharge types are streamer, flare. The simultaneous effect of electromagnetic fields, charged particles and chemically active compounds formed by electrospark discharge on the efficiency of pathogenic microflora inactivation for various surfaces (acrylic primer, epoxy resin, yacht varnish, concrete-graphite mixture) is considered. The material to be treated (a biological model of the bedding surface of the floor in the poultry house with the applied protective layer) is installed after the electrospark discharge chamber blown with plasmaforming gas (atmospheric air). The main affecting factors are active chemical compounds: ozone; free radicals (OH, O, O2), ultraviolet radiation in the range of 750–1600 THz, electromagnetic radiation from 50 Hz to 980 MHz, charged particles and vibrationally excited nitrogen and oxygen molecules. Characterizations of electromagnetic radiation flux density at electrospark discharge are obtained. According to the research results, the maximum effect of treatment of exposed surfaces with low-temperature non-equilibrium plasma is achieved when epoxy resin is used as a surface protection material. The number of inactivated microorganisms at exposure of 10-20 s reaches 100%. When inactivating microorganisms on exposed surfaces, it is not economically feasible to take exposure time longer than 20 s. The studies found no significant difference when using streamer or flare discharges to treat outdoor facility surfaces.