Investigation and implementation of igct based solid state high voltage pulse generator

High voltage pulsed electric field (PEF) is a promising technique for food processes [1]. PEF is found to enhance food safety by inactivating harmful microorganism [2]. As shown in Fig. 1, the high voltage is applied via two electrodes (+ and -) to generate a desired electric field inside the treatment chamber through which the flowing food is processed by the high voltage electric field [3]. In general, the food load behaves as a pure resistor, and the resistance value ranges from a few ohms to a few thousand ohms, depending on the geometry of the chamber and the electrical conductivity of the foods. The quality and performance of the food processing method depends on selection of electrical parameters of voltage pulses, such a� magnitude, repetition rate, duration time, polarity, and shape. In generally, square wave high voltage pulse is required. When a chamber with I-cm gap distance is used, the following are usually requested: