A remote exposure reactor (RER) for plasma processing and sterilization byplasma active species at one atmosphere

We have developed a remote exposure reactor (RER) in which the active speci es of air and other gases responsible for sterilization and processing effe cts are generated on flat panels in a surface Layer of one atmosphere unifo rm glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP), These active species are convected by fo rced airflow at one atmosphere and near room temperature to a remote exposu re chamber in which the workpiece is located. This allows workpieces of any size or shape to be sterilized or processed without direct contact with th e plasma. Here, we report operation of the RER as a sterilizer with both si ngle-pass and recirculating active species flow through the remote exposure chamber. We used the RER to reduce the numbers of two genera of microorgan isms (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) on test samples of polypr opylene fabric. When the recirculating airflow configuration was employed, the population both of E. coli and S, aureus cells was reduced by at least five decades after only 25 s of exposure. Tests in the single pass airflow configuration produced similar results, with the E, coli and S, aureus popu lations decreased by at least four decades after 25 s of exposure.