Liquid processing apparatus with atmospheric, low-temperature plasma activation

A plasma generator apparatus for generating atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma that can communicate with a gas to generate reactive species that can be contained in a liquid, the plasma generator comprising:

• a first electrode that defines a bottom surface, the first electrode having a width and length that are each greater than a height extending in a height direction that extends at an angle relative to the bottom surface;
• a second electrode that defines a top surface, the second electrode having a width and length that are each greater than a height extending in the height direction that extends at an angle relative to the top surface, the second electrode opposing the first electrode such that the bottom surface of the first electrode faces and is separated from the top surface of the second electrode by a space that is configured to house the gas;
• a dielectric layer that defines a surface that is disposed in at least a part of the space between the bottom surface of the first electrode and the top surface of the second electrode, the dielectric layer having a relative permittivity between 2 and 500, and a thickness of 3 mm or less;
• a power supply configured to supply electrical power to the first and second electrodes at a predetermined voltage and frequency, such that, based on a distance between the first and second electrodes, and the presence of the dielectric layer, atmospheric pressure, low temperature plasma is generated in the space so as to communicate with the gas disposed therein to thereby generate the reactive species;
• a duct disposed to communicate with the space and configured to accept the generated reactive species;
• and
• a channel configured to house the liquid, the channel disposed to communicate with the duct to enable the reactive species to become contained in the liquid.