Disinfection of Escherichia Coli by Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma

An underwater dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma was applied to the disinfection of Escherichia coli in water. The characteristics of the disinfection of Escherichia coli by the DBD plasma were examined as functions of applied voltage and working gas type (air, oxygen, nitrogen and argon) on which the formation of reactive species primarily depends. On the basis of the extinction rate of Escherichia coli, the DBD plasma reactor capable of producing both ultraviolet (UV) photons and gaseous reactive species like ozone was found to be effective for sterilizing microorganisms. The proposed DBD plasma system may be an attractive disinfection method, considering it does not need anything else other than electricity to drive the process