Optimization of corona discharge process using Box-Behnken design of experiments

The corona discharge process was studied using Box-Behnken design of experiments in conjunction with response surface methodology of analysis. The single as well as interaction effects of process factors namely applied voltage, time of charging, and distance between electrodes on the surface potential of meltblown nonwoven electret media were examined. The response surface model predicting the surface potential of the electrets displayed a very good correspondence with the experimental results. The optimized corona discharge process run by keeping the predicted levels of process factors yielded surface potential of the electret media very close to that predicted from the model. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.