The Ion Wind DBD uses a flat plasma electrode to create a surface dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in the room air flowing over it. An additional “extraction” electrode is arranged in parallel to form a rectangular ventilation duct. The extraction electrode is charged, so that an additional unipolar electric field through the ventilation duct is created. This drags the ions of one polarity (either positive or negative) generated by the surface DBD in the direction of the extraction electrode. These accelerated ions collide with neutral molecules and particles to form an “ion wind”. In this way, the Ion Wind DBD can remove particles, aerosols or microorganisms from an air stream (similar to an electro filter). Besides that, reactive chemical species generated by the surface DBD can more effectively enter the air volume above thereby enhancing the plasma chemical effectivity.
The Ion Wind DBD has proven decontamination, disinfection and odor reduction capabilities in high volumetric flow air streams. Usually, an active carbon filter placed downstream to the plasma source traps chemical pollutants, which get further degraded by plasma generated species. The filter also removes the unreacted ozone.