Process and apparatus for using atmospheric-pressure plasma reactions

An apparatus for treating a powder with a plasma, comprising:

• reactor vessel means having an upper fluidizing gas exhaust means, and a lower fluidizing gas inlet means;
• gas delivery means for introducing a fluidizing gas into said reactor vessel means through said lower fluidizing gas inlet means, said fluidizing gas agitating said powder to be treated;
• and,
• atmospheric plasma generating means housed within said reactor vessel means, comprising first and second metal electrodes covered at least in part with a dielectric comprising a solid, liquid or combination thereof, whereby a plasma is generated at atmospheric pressure when an energizing voltage is impressed between said first and second metal electrodes, said plasma providing said powder with an altered surface characteristic.

A method for the plasma treatment of a powder comprising the steps of:

• providing a reaction chamber having a high-voltage electrode and a grounded electrode, said electrodes covered at least in part with a dielectric;
• generating a plasma at atmospheric pressure in said chamber by impressing a high voltage in the range of 1-10 kilovolts at 20-30 KHz between said high voltage electrode and said grounding electrode;
• and,
• providing a powder in said reaction chamber whereby said powder is treated by said plasma thereby altering at least one of said powders properties of dispersibility, redispersibility, cohesiveness, sedimentation resistance, binding capability or kneadability.