Development of highly-efficient plasma reaction system for 90% reduction of energy consumption in decomposition of ethylene that degrades freshness of fruits and vegetables

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26450352
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Agricultural environmental engineering/Agricultural information engineering
• Research Institution: Toyohashi University of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Mizushima Takanori 豊橋技術科学大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (60239233)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 流通管理 / エチレンプラズマ分解 / 電力消費量削減 / 高効率化 / プラズマ触媒反応 / メンブレン状触媒

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A highly efficient plasma catalytic system was developed for selective adsorption and subsequent decomposition of low-concentrated ethylene in air that degrades freshness of fruits and vegetables. Inserting the silica-coated and silver-loaded membrane-like catalyst tube in the tubular plasma reactor resulted in an about 4-fold increase in a rate of ethylene decomposition by periodic short-term plasma irradiation.
In addition, a flat-plate-stacked plasma catalytic reactor was designed for increasing the system size. Silica coating on the flat electrodes increased in the surface area and homogeneity of plasma discharge between the electrodes. A flat membrane-like catalyst was also prepared for adsorptive condensation of ethylene in air. The system is now built by combining the electrodes and catalysts.

Free Research Field

触媒化学、プラズマ化学、環境化学