Research Advances In Plasma Reactions

Research Advances In Plasma Reactions Plasma reactions are not new, but recent research is opening new possibilities. They produce sunlight and have long powered fluorescent lights and plasma arc cutters. Now, plasma reactions are being used to quickly produce biodiesel, enhance plant health, reduce bacterial contamination on foods and surfaces, and treat water.  “Plasma reactions are what we see in the Northern Lights and in neon lights,” says Tom Slunecka, Plasma Blue. “When you hit a gas with the right frequency of electricity, electrons escape the atom, and when they return back, a byproduct is light. With plasma reactions, we’re exciting the electrons enough that they create different reactions.” Plasma Blue makes equipment designed to produce plasma reactions in a continuous flow of materials. The company is owned by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. Recently, Slunecka was one of the presenters at a summit on research with Plasma Activated Water (PAW). The summit was organized by Dr. Christian Nansen from U.C. Davis, as part of a collaboration between U.C. Davis, the University of Minnesota, and Cornell University. Slunecka and other speakers presented the latest developments in university and industry-led research. They highlighted both the technology and its applications, such as sustainable nitrogen production, disease prevention and more. “Plasma-activated water affects plant growth and development,” reported Neil Mattson, Cornell horticulture professor, to Zoom attendees. “Compounds in PAW increase dissolved oxygen required by seeds and roots for respiration and increase germination and root growth. At the right amount, it can activate plant resistance, turning on plant genes to handle drought or heat stress. It can also reduce pathogens in growing root zones.” Plasma Blue works closely with researchers and commercial applications of cold plasma technology for water treatment. “We design and sell cost-affordable systems to researchers and companies,” says Slunecka. “At the same time, we’re working on commercial applications ourselves.” Biodiesel production is one area where Plasma Blue has demonstrated success. Commercial biodiesel production involves heating soybean oil, methanol, and a catalyst to excite electrons and initiate a reaction, producing biodiesel and glycerin. However, electrons are only 1/1000 to neutrons. Plasma Blue accelerates the reaction by targeting the electrons. “Why heat up the entire room when you can just heat the coffee?” says Slunecka. “We excite just the electrons and create biodiesel in milliseconds using a fraction of the energy.” Plasma reactions can also break apart chemical bonds that are otherwise unbreakable, such as those in PFAS. “When fluorine and carbon are combined using pressure and heat, they never want to come apart,” says Slunecka. “However, if you excite the electrons, they come apart.” PAW generates hydroxyl groups and free radicals. The emitted light is ozone, which can kill bacteria. “Our reactors produce ozone, radicals and peroxide,” says Slunecka. “If you spray plasma-activated water on a plant with a disease like tomato blight, it automatically affects the blight. Spray it on a wet seed, like from a tomato or watermelon, and any fungus or bacteria on the outside of the seed is controlled.” Slunecka warns that some claims being made today lack the necessary proof. One problem is that reactions can be short-lived, lasting from just milliseconds up to 30 min. Without oxidation, the reaction might last a bit longer. However, once the energy released in the reaction dissipates, PAW becomes ordinary water. “PAW in a flow is more attractive,” says Slunecka. “Greenhouses will be one of the first markets. Hydroponic and aeroponic systems could use it to treat recycling water.” While Plasma Blue could produce biodiesel at a lower cost than commercial systems, it would require overhauling production processes, which the industry often resists. Slunecka believes that removing PFAS from drinking water has significant potential.  “We can remove PFAS with a low capital expenditure, low operating costs, low temperatures and low pressures,” says Slunecka. “Systems are safe and easy to operate, with few parts, and they’re repairable. We can remove PFAS for 7¢ per 1,000 gal.” Slunecka is equally optimistic about other agricultural and industrial applications. “All our units are customized and ready to ship within a few weeks of an order,” he says. “We have different designs for different industry needs.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Plasma Blue, 1020 Innovation Ln., Mankato, Minn. 56001 (ph 507-225-2525; info@plasma-blue.com; www.plasma-blue.com) or Christian Nansen, Department of Entomology and Nematology, 37 Briggs Hall, One Shields Ave., Davis, Calif. 95616 (ph 530-752-2728; chrnansen@ucdavis.edu).

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