Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol using a Gas–Liquid Gliding Arc Discharge Plasma Reactor

The gas–liquid gliding arc discharge plasma is used directly to study degradation and dechlorination of 4-Chlorophenol (4-CP) in solution. The typical AC waveforms of discharge voltage and current revealed that the discharge behavior was not definitely periodic. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) abatement of 4-CP solution with stainless steel electrode is higher than that with aluminum or brass electrode; When air was used as carrier gas the COD abated from 1,679.2 to 190 mg/L (i.e., 88.68% abatement) after 76 min plasma treatment; Increasing gas–liquid mixing rate could also increase the degradation of 4-CP; adding appropriate amounts of Fe²⁺ or iron chips to the solution were found to be favorable for 4-CP degradation. The main intermediates of 4-CP degradation are p-benzoquinone, hydroquinone, 4-chlorocatechol, p-chloronitrobenzene, and ring cleavage products (acetic acid, glycol, propanone, and others). Furthermore, possible pathways of 4-CP degradation in solution are proposed.