Experimental Study on Purification of Diesel Particulate Matter by Non-thermal Plasma Technology

In order to investigate the effects of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on diesel particulate matter (PM), an engine test bench was built up. An engine exhaust particle sizer (EEPS) was introduced to analyze the emission concentration and size distribution of PM and a thermo-gravimetric analyzer was used to analyze the effects of NTP on the composition of the particulate matter in the exhaust gas. The results show that the size distribution interval of the particle mass concentration falls behind that of the quantity concentration under various loads. When the diesel engine operating speed is 2400 rpm and the load is 25%, after NTP, the proportions of the nucleation mode particles and the accumulative mode particles exhibit a small fluctuation while the proportion of ultrafine particles decreases by 10% due to their large quantity concentration. Under the dual effect of DPF and NTP, the particle quantity concentration decreases by 98%. In order to investigate the effect of NTP on the composition of the PM, a thermo-gravimetric analysis of the particles obtained before and after NTP was carried out. The results show that the proportion of volatile matter falls by 16.05% and solid carbon accounts for an increase of 7.29%. NTP has the ability to improve reduction activity of particles and make particles easier to be oxidized at a lower temperature.     

低温等离子体催化消除炭烟的研究进展

利用低温等离子体的非热力学平衡特性,在较低温度下将氧气分子转化为活性氧物种,从而将炭烟氧化消除,其炭烟消除速率和CO₂选择性等受等离子体放电结构、能量密度、反应气氛和催化剂的影响。本文对低温等离子体氧化消除炭烟的研究进展进行了总结,探讨反应器结构、能量密度、气相组成及催化剂对低温等离子体催化消除炭烟性能的影响规律,总结低温等离子体与催化剂协同催化机理的研究进展,分析低温等离子体与催化剂协同催化消除炭烟的主要挑战和发展趋势。     

Experimental Investigation of Plasma Oxidization of Diesel Particulate Matter

Particulate matter (PM) from diesel vehicles is harmful to humans and should be removed from the exhaust gases before its emission into the atmosphere. Plasma PM oxidation is an advanced method to be used for oxidative PM removal. Factors influencing plasma PM oxidation include gas temperature, gas composition, PM amount, the geometry of plasma reactors. The PM oxidation in atmospheric air discharges was carried out using a pulsed dielectric barrier discharge reactor at temperatures of 100, 150, and 200 °C. It was found that PM is oxidized to CO and CO₂. CO₂/CO concentration ratio is a function of PM amount in the discharge space. PM removal efficiency (PM amount oxidized per kWh energy injection) increased with increasing air temperature and PM amount in the discharge space. Water promotes PM oxidation, which suggested that oxygen atoms produced in the discharge space react with water to yield hydroxyl free radicals that are of more reactivity than oxygen atoms. The activation energy of plasma PM oxidation was kinetically calculated to be 15.4 kJ/mol.     

Simulation of the Radiation-Chemical Conversion of Mercury Vapor in Power-Plant Flue Gases in the Presence of Hydrogen Chloride

The effect of HCl on the conversion of mercury vapor in the electron-beam treatment of power-plant flue gases for removing nitrogen and sulfur oxides was investigated. A kinetic scheme for the process consists of the liquid-phase oxidation of Hg by O₃molecules and OH radicals followed by the adsorption of liquid-phase oxidation products on soot particles, which are removed from the gas flow using filters. It was found that almost complete removal of mercury vapor is attained at typical radiation doses and process temperatures at soot concentrations higher than 100 g/m³(STP). At a soot concentration lower than 100 g/m³(STP) and an HCl concentration higher than 50 mg/m³(STP) in the gas phase, biologically active HgCl₂is formed in considerable amounts.     

Surface chemistry of nanometer-sized aerosol particles: reactions of molecular oxygen with 30 nm soot particles as a function of oxygen partial pressure

The kinetics of the reaction between soot nanoparticles and molecular oxygen were studied by tandem differential mobility analysis (TDMA). The particles were extracted from the tip of an ethene diffusion flame. Reactions were studied at atmospheric pressure in mixtures of nitrogen and oxygen. The studies involved particles of an initial mobility diameter of 30 nm over broad ranges of temperature (500-1100 degrees C) and oxygen volume fraction (0-1). Measurements as a function of oxygen partial pressure establish that the oxidation kinetics are not first-order in oxygen volume fraction (F(O2)). Rather, the oxidation rate increases rapidly and linearly with F(O2) between 0 and 0.05 and then more slowly but still linearly between 0.05 and 1. Temperature dependent measurements are consistent with a reaction pathway involving two kinetically distinguishable oxidation sites which interconvert thermally and through oxidation. Results and conclusions are compared to those of earlier studies on the oxidation of soot.     

氧体积分数对炭黑燃烧特性影响的热天平研究

利用热天平对天然气扩散火焰中生成的炭黑在不同氧体积分数下（21%、15%、10%和5%）的燃烧特性进行了研究，选用蜡烛炭黑、4种工业炭黑以及无烟煤焦炭作为对比。基于试验结果确定了燃烧特性参数，并分析了燃烧特性。天然气扩散火焰中生成的炭黑明显早于其他试样着火燃烧，着火温度在所有试样中最低，氧体积分数为21%下为483.0℃，比焦炭约低114℃，比蜡烛炭黑低近127.8℃。自制天然气炭黑可燃指数比焦炭低，着火后前期燃烧反应能力较弱。随着氧体积分数的降低，各试样着火温度在50℃内变化。比较各试样的燃尽特性可知自制天然气炭黑在不同燃尽率下的相对燃尽时间最长，氧体积分数为21%下完全燃尽为6.03min，比焦炭长21.3%。蜡烛炭黑相对燃尽时间也较长。随着氧体积分数降低，各试样燃尽时间都延长，尤其是自制天然气炭黑，氧体积分数从21%降到5%，相对燃尽时间延长2.97倍，氧体积分数降低明显延长其燃尽过程。     

Characteristics of soot particles formed by diesel pyrolysis

This experiment involving diesel fuel pyrolysis was performed to study the process of soot formation without oxidation. The effects of temperature, residence time, and lubricating oil presence on soot formation were investigated through measurement of particle size distribution, morphology, and C/H ratio as well as through thermal analysis. The results show that the formation of soot during diesel pyrolysis depended strongly on both temperature and residence time. The critical temperature for the creation of soot with a primary particle diameter of 20 nm was about 1100 °C. Greater temperatures and residence times resulted in diesel soot particles that were more mature, i.e., with a higher C/H ratio, larger particle size, and higher ignition temperature. The carbonization of diesel soot through pyrolysis was also weakly affected by the addition of 5% lubricating oil to the diesel fuel. The results of this experiment provide information for modeling the formation of diesel soot without oxidation as well as for developing soot generators for after-treatment systems.     

乙炔/空气预混火焰中CO添加对炭黑生成影响的数值分析(英文)

针对乙炔/空气预混火焰中CO添加对炭黑生成的影响进行了详细的数值模拟.通过对含有不同CO添加量的火焰的模拟结果比较,研究CO添加的温度和化学作用对于炭黑形成的影响.计算结果显示CO添加使炭黑的生成单调下降.炭黑体积分数和成核速率随着温度的升高而增加,到达一个阈值后,再随温度的升高而减少.从炭黑生成的H-萃取角度来看,由于反应OH+CO=CO2+H的向右速率增加,H原子增加以及OH自由基减少,CO添加会激发炭黑生成.从炭黑生成的C-添加机理来看,CO添加减小了C2H2的消耗速率,CO添加也有助于炭黑生成,但CO添加降低了燃料中C2H2的体积分数,使得炭黑表面增长速率降低.     

Removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) at Room Temperature Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge and Plasma-Catalysis

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) was produced in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor for degradation of acetaldehyde and benzene, respectively. The effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) chemical structure on the reaction was investigated. In addition, acetaldehyde was removed in different background gas. The results showed that, no matter in nitrogen, air or oxygen, NTP technology always exhibited high acetaldehyde removal efficiency at ambient temperature. However, it also caused some toxicity by-product such as NOx and ozone. Meanwhile, some intermediates such as acetic acid, amine and nitromethane were formed and resulted in low carbon dioxide selectivity. To solve above problems, Co–OMS-2 catalysts were synthesized and combined with plasma. It was found that, the introduction of catalysts improved VOCs removal efficiency and inhibited by-product formation of plasma significantly. The plasma-catalysis system was operated in a recycling experiment to investigate its stability. The acetaldehyde removal efficiency can be kept at 100 % in the whole process. However, slight deactivation in ozone control was observed at the later stage of the experiment, which may be ascribed to deposition of VOCs on the catalysts surface and reduction of catalysts surface area.     

Nonisothermal effects in the process of soot formation in ethylene pyrolysis behind shock waves

The nonisothermal nature of hydrocarbon pyrolysis explains the differences in the critical temperatures of soot formation in the experimental studies of these processes. When reaction heats are taken into account, the critical temperatures become close to 1600 K for all the systems studied. The estimated standard enthalpy of carbon atom formation in the composition of soot particles is δH_{f, z}. ≈ 11 ±6 kJ/mol. A kinetic model is proposed for soot formation in ethylene pyrolysis that describes the experimental data. The calculated temperature of soot particles may differ substantially depending on the choice of a model for energy exchange in collisions.     

Probing the Role of a Non‐Thermal Plasma (NTP) in the Hybrid NTP Catalytic Oxidation of Methane

Three recurring hypotheses are often used to explain the effect of non‐thermal plasmas (NTPs) on NTP catalytic hybrid reactions; namely, modification or heating of the catalyst or creation of new reaction pathways by plasma‐produced species. NTP‐assisted methane (CH₄) oxidation over Pd/Al₂O₃ was investigated by direct monitoring of the X‐ray absorption fine structure of the catalyst, coupled with end‐of‐pipe mass spectrometry. This in situ study revealed that the catalyst did not undergo any significant structural changes under NTP conditions. However, the NTP did lead to an increase in the temperature of the Pd nanoparticles; although this temperature rise was insufficient to activate the thermal CH₄ oxidation reaction. The contribution of a lower activation barrier alternative reaction pathway involving the formation of CH₃(g) from electron impact reactions is proposed.     

VOCs and carbonaceous particles removal assisted by NOx on alkali0.15/ZrO2 and Csx–M0.1/ZrO2 catalysts (M = Cu or Co)

The effect of alkali metals on the physicochemical characteristics of zirconium oxide and the properties of alkali metals in the oxidation of toluene and/or carbonaceous particles and/or conversion of nitrogen oxides have been studied. We observed that they had an effect on the structural and textural properties of ZrO₂. These solids were tested first in the oxidation of toluene and carbonaceous particles separately and secondly with both pollutants. Whatever the experiments, the sample Cs_0.15/ZrO₂ was found to be the catalyst the most active. The simultaneous removal of toluene and soot shows that the presence of toluene leads to a decrease in the temperature of the maximum soot oxidation rate, particularly with catalysts impregnated of Cs and Cu. The effect of the Cs/Co ratio on NO_x conversion and toluene oxidation was also studied. It was found that the oxidizing properties of NO_x can increase the conversion of toluene. This phenomenon occurs especially in the presence of catalysts with a low amount of alkali metal. For the oxidation of carbonaceous particles on the samples Cs/ZrO₂ impregnated with transition metals, the best performance is obtained for copper, although a decrease of the ratio Cs/Cu leads to a slower oxidation and a shift to higher temperatures.     

MgO脱除HCN的动力学研究

研究了MgO在不同温度下对HCN的脱除作用,并用XRD对反应后固相产物进行分析。研究了温度、MgO质量分数、HCN初始体积分数和停留时间等因素对HCN脱除效率的影响,并求出MgO与HCN反应的动力学参数。结果表明,673 K时,MgO已经开始与HCN发生反应,当温度高于873 K时,HCN中气态"N"已转化到固相产物MgCN₂中;HCN脱除效率随温度、MgO质量分数和停留时间的增加呈线性增加,但随HCN初始体积分数增加呈负幂函数的规律下降;MgO与HCN的反应级数α为0.72,表观活化能E为32.2 kJ/mol。     

Radiation-chemical treatment of flue gases from thermal power stations for the removal of mercury vapor

The efficiency of radiation-chemical treatment of flue gases from thermal power stations for removing nitrogen and sulfur oxides was examined as applied to the removal of mercury vapor from the gases. A kinetic scheme of the process was developed. It involves the liquid-phase oxidation of Hg by O₃ molecules formed under the action of ionizing radiation on the gas macrocomponents followed by adsorption of the oxidation products at soot particles. It was found that almost complete removal of mercury vapor is attained at typical radiation doses and soot concentrations in the flue gases.     

Thermal oxidation of polyacetylene

The thermal oxidation of undoped trans-polyacetylene powder in dry air has been studied and the principal features of the mechanism have been developed. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis reveal an exothermic process that first leads to a weight increase, followed by precipitous weight loss above 240°C due to formation of volatile oxidation products. Isothermal weight gain studies between 25 and 142°C show first-order kinetics below 90°C with a rate constant of 3.10^?7 s^?1 at 25°C and an apparent activation energy of 16 kcal/mol. A weight gain of more than 40% has been observed at 25°C after 2000 h of exposure to air. A change in first-order kinetics occurs at temperatures above 90°C. Identification of solid oxidation products with photoacoustic infrared spectroscopy reveals that oxygen intercalates into the polymer structure in large concentrations, similar to other electron acceptors. However, oxidative attack on the polymer backbone occurs simultaneously. At elevated temperatures or for long-term oxygen exposure, the concentration of dopant oxygen decreases, probably by intramolecular regrouping of hydrogen atoms, resulting in the formation of hydroxyl groups and enhanced polymer degradation. This mechanism is consistent with the finding of others that the conductivity of polyacetylene upon oxygen exposure increases initially before decreasing significantly with continued exposure, especially at elevated temperatures.     

Radiation-induced emulsion copolymerization of tetrafluoroethylene with propylene. VI. Effects of pressure and temperature

In a radiation-induced emulsion copolymerization of tetrafluoroethylene with propylene, the effects of pressure and temperature were investigated in the range of 0–40 kg/cm² and 7–53°C at emulsifier concentration of 0.5 and 2.0%. Both the polymerization rate and the molecular weight of copolymer increase with increasing pressure and decreasing temperature. These facts are mainly due to an increase of the monomer concentration in the polymer particles. The rate of polymer chain formation was found to be independent of pressure and temperature. The initiation reaction is due mainly to the entry of radicals generated in the aqueous phase into the polymer particles. The apparent activation energy is ?2.0 to ?3.8 kcal/mole for the polymerization in the presence of 0.5% emulsifier, but is nearly zero at an emulsifier concentration of 2.0%. This difference in apparent activation energies at emulsifier concentrations of 0.5 and 2.0% is explained in terms of the termination mechanisms.     

Numerical study on soot removal in partial oxidation of methane to syngas reactors

The serious carbon deposition existing in catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM) to syngas process is one of the key problems that impede its industrialization. In this study, 3-dimensional unsteady numerical simulations of the soot formation and oxidation in oxidation section in a heat coupling reactor were carried out by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach incorporating the Moss-Brookes model for soot formation. The model has been validated and proven to be in good agreement with experiment results. Effects of nozzle type, nozzle convergence angle, channel spacing, number of channels, radius/height ratio, oxygen/carbon ratio, preheat temperature and additional introduction of steam on the soot formation were simulated. Results show that the soot formation in oxidation section of the heat coupling reactor depends on both nozzle structures and operation conditions, and the soot concentration can be greatly reduced by optimization with the maximum mass fraction of soot inside the oxidation reactor from 2.28% to 0.0501%, and so that the soot mass fraction at the exit reduces from 0.74% to 0.03%.     

An examination of microwave heating to enhance diesel soot combustion

The effect of microwave heating on diesel soot combustion was studied through the use of a microwave heated thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). A TGA was designed around a commercial multimode microwave oven so that carbon weight loss resulting from microwave heating could be measured. The oven door was modified, allowing infrared thermography to be used to measure soot combustion temperatures. Measurements suggest that the actual temperature of the oxidizing carbon (which is in the interior of the powder bed) is hotter than the surface temperature one measures by IR thermography. Thus, the apparent reduction in soot combustion temperature with microwave heating reported in some literature may be the result of the inability to measure the interior temperature of the soot/catalyst mass.     

The influence of the active component and support nature, gas mixture composition on physicochemical and catalytic properties of catalysts for soot oxidation

Physicochemical and catalytic properties of compositions Fe(Ce)–Mn–O/support (gamma-, theta-, alpha-Al₂O₃, SiO₂ as the support) and Pt/CeO₂/theta-Al₂O₃ for oxidation of soot were characterized. It was established that the phase composition of the initial catalysts depended mainly on the nature of the active component and preparation conditions. Non-isothermal treatment of the soot–catalyst compositions at the temperature up to 1000 °C resulted in a change in the phase composition depending mainly on the final treatment temperature. The catalyst surface area was determined by the support nature. It was established that catalyst activities for oxidation of soot are determined by both catalyst nature and composition of gas mixture. The process of the soot oxidation is thought to involve oxygen from the catalyst surface. The higher proportion of weakly bound surface oxygen, the higher was the catalyst activity. An increase in the oxygen concentration from 5% O₂/N₂ to 15% O₂/N₂ is shown to lead to a decrease of the temperature of the soot oxidation. The influence of the oxygen concentration on the process of soot oxidation becomes weaker in the presence of water vapor. Results showed that the presence of NO in the gas mixture favors a decrease in the oxidation temperature of the soot, the higher being the nitrogen oxide concentration, the more pronounced effect. Introduction of SO₂ in amount of 50 ppm in the gas mixture has no noticeable effect on the process of the soot oxidation. Among the catalysts under study, Fe–Mn–K–O/gamma-Al₂O₃ is most effective to oxidation of the soot at otherwise identical conditions.     

Photocatalytic Removal of Soot: Unravelling of the Reaction Mechanism by EPR and in situ FTIR Spectroscopy

Photocatalytic soot oxidation is studied on P25 TiO₂ as an important model reaction for self‐cleaning processes by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Contacting of carbon black with P25 leads on the one hand to a reduction of the local dioxygen concentration in the powder. On the other hand, the weakly adsorbed radicals on the carbon particles are likely to act as alternative traps for the photogenerated conduction‐band electrons. We find furthermore that the presence of dioxygen and oxygen‐related radicals is vital for the photocatalytic soot degradation. The complete oxidation of soot to CO₂ is evidenced by in situ FTIR spectroscopy, no intermediate CO is detected during the photocatalytic process.