Study of Volatile Organic Compounds Destruction by Dielectric Barrier Corona Discharge

Abstract

Abstract An experimental and mechanistic study on the destruction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs: Methane, Methyl Chloride, Chlorobenzene, Toluene, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, 1-Pentene and Cyclohexene) in 0.21: 0.79 oxygen-nitrogen mixture “zero air” over the concentration range of 5-100000 ppm by dielectric barrier corona discharge plasma was performed. Tubular-flow, coaxial-wire, AC-powered dielectric barrier corona discharge reactors were used to determine the kinetics of destruction, reaction products and electric power requirements. High efficiency VOC destruction/removal was demonstrated. Efficiency of destruction (calculated per unit volume of air) increases with decreasing VOC concentration. At low VOC concentrations (5-100 ppm) the energy required for destruction is 0.001- 0.1 J cm