A Compact and Robust Corona Discharge Device (CDD™) for Generating Non-Thermal Plasma in Automotive Exhaust 2000-01-1845

We describe the details of a particular compact and robust Corona Discharge Device (CDD™) that generates non-thermal plasma in the harsh environment of a stoichiometric exhaust. This particular CDD™ can generate plasma power of up to 15W at exhaust gas temperatures to 850C. Optimizations of geometry, material selection, and thermal design were performed by a combination of simulation and experiment. This particular design considered tradeoffs of several factors, including plasma power, EMI shielding, thermal durability, high voltage interconnection, packaging size, and exhaust emissions reduction. This particular CDD™ was designed to meet most of the same durability and survivability specifications as an O₂ sensor, since both are exposed to similar exhaust environments.