Non-Thermal Plasma Exhaust Aftertreatment: A Fast Rise-Time Concept

Abstract

<div class="htmlview paragraph">Increases in efficiency may be possible by a new technique for non-thermal plasma aftertreatment of exhaust gases. The new technique involves very short risetimes (40ps) high frequency (5Ghz) high power bursts of low duty factor microwaves to generate a dielectric barrier discharge. The technique is illustrated in the simplified example of the dissociation of NO in N<sub>2</sub>. Electric field distributions and enhancing improvements are briefly described for a number of configurations.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The technique is meant to be used in conjunction with material catalyst and can, for a class of catalysts, cause a significant reactivity on the catalyst surface.</div>