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C-Tech - Microwave Plasma System
C-Tech Innovation’s microwave plasma system is unique. Designed to operate reliably under a various conditions including atmospheric, reduced or elevated pressures. The technology uses commercial microwave generators at a frequency of 2.45 GHz for smaller systems, and frequencies of 896 or 915 MHz for larger systems.
C-Tech Innovation has over 15 years’ of experience in the application of plasma technology. We have applied our plasma technology in a number of applications including:
- Controlled Production of High Tech Multifunctional Products and their Recycling
- Printed Logic for Applications of Screen Matrix Activation Systems
- Lignin Based Carbon Fibres for Composites
- Production of NOx gases for fertiliser manufacture
The system is an electrodeless design and the plasma can be formed from a number of different gases or gas mixtures. Our microwave plasma has a much lower operating temperature when compared with a conventional plasma torch, and additionally has a much longer gas residence time allowing greater reactivity of the plasma gas to be achieved.
The electrodeless design also means that there is no contamination of the product due to ablation of the electrode materials, which can be a problem with other types of plasma systems.
The plasma can be used for gas phase reactions or for surface engineering applications, such as:
- Surface etching
- Deposition of coatings such as ceramic or polymers on metals, glass and plastics
- Surface modification to alter surface energy (e.g. to assist adherence of printing and painting)
- Nanoparticles from gaseous precursors
C-Tech Innovation offers a unique microwave plasma system with the following features:
- A multi-mode microwave cavity
- A commercial microwave power source (2.45GHz or 896/915MHz)
- Specifically designed plasma containment
- Electrodeless design
- Simple plasma ignition
- Readily configurable to different applications
- Continuous, reliable operation
Greater reactivity of plasma gas
Compared with a conventional plasma torch, the temperature of the microwave plasma is considerably lower and has a much longer gas residence time allowing greater reactivity of the plasma gas to be achieved.
No contamination of product due to ablation of electrode materials
The electrodeless design means that there is no contamination of the product due to ablation of the electrode materials, which is a problem with other types of plasma systems.
Reliable & Continuous Operation
The electrodeless design also means that the system is highly reliable and can be used in a continuous operation for extended periods.
Concept to Production
C-Tech have built units capable of flow rates from 50 litres/hr up to 700 litres/hr (3 kW units to 60 kW units).