Patent ID: 7025856

Claim:
Apparatus for processing materials in an atmospheric pressure radio-frequency non-thermal plasma comprising: an electrically conductive enclosure defining and interior space with a surface and openings for introductions of a gas and for entry and exit of a material to be processed while said interior space is at or near atmospheric pressure; an electrode situated inside said interior space and spaced apart from said surface of said interior space a distance sufficient to allow placement of said material to be processed; a mechanical action for placing said material to be processed inside said interior space on said electrode or between said electrode and said electrically conductive enclosure; said apparatus enclosed by a grounded casing; a first radio frequency power supply having a first phase applied between said electrode and said grounded casing; and, a second radio frequency power supply having a second phase offset from said first phase applied between said electrically conductive enclosure and said grounded casing; wherein a gas containing a majority of inert gas is introduced into said interior space through said opening for introduction of a gas creating an atmospheric pressure plasma in said interior space for processing said material to be processed within said electrically conductive enclosure.