Compact High-Voltage Pulse Generator for Pulsed Electric Field Applications: Lab-Scale Development

Square wave pulses have been identified as more lethal compared to exponential decay pulses in PEF applications. This is because of the on-time which is longer causes a formidable impact on the microorganisms in the food media. To have a reliable high-voltage pulse generator, a technique of capacitor discharge was employed. Four units of capacitor rated 100 μF 1.2 kV were connected in series to produce 25 μF 4.8 kV which were used to store the energy of approximately 200 J. The energy stored was discharged via HTS 181-01-C to the load in the range of nano to microseconds of pulse duration. The maximum voltage applied was limited to 4 kV because it is a lab-scale project. The electrical circuit diagram and the development procedure, as well as experimental results, are presented.