The Effects of Gas Composition on Active Species and Byproducts Formation in Gas–Water Gliding Arc Discharge

The effects of gas composition on hybrid gas–water gliding arc discharge plasma reactor have been studied. The voltage cycles are characterized by a moderate increase in the tension which is represented by a peak followed by an abrupt decrease and a current peak in the half period (10 ms). Emission spectrum measurements revealed that ^•OH hydroxyl radicals are present in the discharge with feeding any gas. The H₂O₂ concentrations reach 38.0, 15.0, 10.0, and 8.0 mg/l after 25 min plasma treatment with oxygen, argon, air, and nitrogen, respectively. O₃ was produced when oxygen and air are used, but not when nitrogen and argon. The O₃ concentration reached the highest value 1.0 mg/l after 25 min plasma treatment with oxygen feeding gas, but gradually decreased to 0.2 mg/l after that. With feeding nitrogenous gas, NO₂ ⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ byproducts were formed by the plasma chemical process.     

1-Chloronaphthalene decomposition in different gas mixtures under electron beam irradiation

The decomposition by electron beam (EB) irradiation of 1-chloronaphthalene in different gas matrices (air, N₂) was studied. Over 80% 1-chloronaphthalene was decomposed in air at 58 kGy dose when the initial concentration of 1-chloronaphthalene was 12–30 mg/Nm³. Over 50% 1-chloronaphthalene was decomposed in nitrogen when the initial concentration of 1-chloronaphthalene was 15–42 mg/Nm³.     

Humidity Effect on Toluene Decomposition in a Wire-plate Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor

Laboratory-scale experiments were performed to evaluate the humidity effect on toluene decomposition by using a wire-plate dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The toluene decomposition efficiency as well as the carbon dioxide selectivity with/without water in a gas stream of N₂ with 5% O₂ was investigated. Under the optimal humidity of 0.2% the characteristics of toluene decomposition in various background gas, including air, N₂ with 500 ppm O₂, and N₂ with 5% O₂ were observed. In addition, the influence of a catalyst on the decomposition was studied at selected humidities. It was found that the optimum toluene removal efficiency was achieved by the gas stream containing 0.2% H₂O, since the presence of water enhanced the CO₂ selectivity. In addition, the toluene removal efficiency increased significantly in a dry gas stream but decreased with an increase in the humidity when the Co₃O₄/Al₂O₃/nickel foam catalyst was introduced into the discharge area.     

Nickel-copper-chromium catalyst for selective methane oxidation to synthesis gas at short residence times

Data on the selective oxidation of methane to synthesis gas on a 9% NiCuCr/2% Ce/(ϑ + α)-Al₂O₃ catalyst in dilute mixtures with Ar at short residence times (2–3 ms) are presented. The composition, structure, morphology, and adsorption properties of the catalyst with respect to oxygen and hydrogen before and after reaction were studied using XRD, BET, electron microscopy with electron microdiffraction, TPR, TPO, and TPD of oxygen and hydrogen. The following optimum conditions for the preparation and pretreatment of the catalyst for selective methane reduction were found: the incipient wetness impregnation of a support with aqueous nitrate solutions; drying; and heating in air at 873 and then at 1173 K (for 1 h at either temperature) followed by reduction with an H₂-Ar mixture at 1173 K for 1 h. At a residence time of 2–3 ms (space velocity to 1.5 × 10⁶ h⁻¹) and 1073–1173 K, the resulting catalyst afforded an 80–100% CH₄ conversion in mixtures with O₂ (CH₄/O₂ = 2: 1) diluted with argon (97.2–98.0%) to synthesis gas with H₂/CO = 2: 1. The selectivity of CO and H₂ formation was 99.6–100 and 99–100%, respectively; CO₂ was almost absent from the reaction products. The catalyst activity did not decrease for 56 h; carbon deposition was not observed. A possible mechanism of the direct oxidation of CH₄ to synthesis gas is considered.     

TG and DTA Evaluation of Cobalt Salts and Complexes Mixed with Activated Carbon

The thermal decomposition process of mixtures of CoC₂O₄⋅2H₂O (COD) or Co(HCOO)₂⋅2H₂O (CFD) or [Co(NH₃)₆]₂(C₂O₄)₃⋅4H₂O (HACOT) with activated carbon was studied with simultaneous TG–DTG–DTA measurements under non-isothermal conditions in argon and argon/oxygen admixtures. The results show that the thermal decomposition of the studied mixtures in Ar proceeds in the same manner. It begins with the salt decomposition to Co_met+CoO mixture followed by (T>680 K) the simultaneous reduction of CoO to Co_metand carbon degasification. The final product of the thermal decomposition of COD-C and CFD-C mixtures, identified by XRD, is β-Co. Cobalt contents determined in the final products fall in the range 71–78 mass%. The rest is amorphous residual carbon. In Ar/O₂ admixtures the end product is Co₃O₄ with ash admixture. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Kinetics of heat release during the reaction ofn-decane with nitrogen dioxide in the liquid phase

The rates of heat release in the nitrogen dioxide—n-decane system at a molar ratio of nitrogen oxides ton-decane (β) from 2.4·10⁻³ to 3.1 and gaseous volumes per mole ofn-decane (V(g)) equal to 0.05–4.5 were studied in the 55.2–92.8 °C temperature range. The initial rate of the process is determined by the interaction of NO₂ withn-decane. The equilibrium constants of dissociation of N₂O₄ inn-decane and Henry's constants of NO₂ and N₂O₄ in ann-decane solution were determined by complex analysis of the thermodynamic equilibrium in the NO₂—n-decane system and dependences of the initial rates onV(g) and β. The experimentally observed self-acceleration of the process in the region of high β and lowT values was suggested to be due to the reaction of N₂O₄ with intermediate oxidation products. The rate constants of the reaction of NO₂ withn-decane were compared with analogous values determined in its mixtures with HNO₃ solutions. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1789–1794, October, 1997.     

Catalytic Effects of Lanthanide Oxides on the Thermal Decomposition of Barium Perchlorate

Catalytic activities exerted by the lanthanide oxides Ln₂O₃ (Ln=La, Sm, Gd and Dy) (0.25 mol%) on the thermal decomposition of barium perchlorate were studied gasometrically at 718 K. The α vs. t plot for the salt alone displays (i) initial gas evolution (ii) an induction period, (iii) a short acceleratory stage and (iv) a long decay stage. For the mixtures with Ln₂O₃, phenomena (i) and (ii) are not observed. Ln₂O₃ enhances the rate of reaction in both the acceleratory and the decay stage, and increases the fraction decomposed, α, in the sequence La₂O₃>Gd₂O₃>Sm₂O₃,>Dy₂O₃. The influence of Dy₂O₃ (0.25–2.0 mol%) on the decomposition of Ba(ClO₄)₂ at 718 K indicates that such admixture facilitates the process and the effect increases with increasing concentration. The salt alone and the mixtures decompose through the same stages in the temperature range 703–733 K as at 718 K. The data on both types of samples fit well to the Prout-Tompkins and the Avrami-Erofeev mechanism, suggesting that nucleation takes place in a chain-branching manner and that the two-dimensional growth of the nuclei occurs during the process. Admixture enhances the rate of reaction marked without affecting the energy of activation . This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Formation of Cr(II) Species in the H2/CrO3 System. Parameter control

The thermal behaviour of CrO₃ on heating up to 600°C in dynamic atmospheres of air, N₂ and H₂ was examined by thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), IR spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results revealed three major thermal events, depending to different extents on the surrounding atmosphere: (i) melting of CrO₃ near 215°C (independent of the atmosphere), (ii) decomposition into Cr₂(CrO₄)₃ at 340–360°C (insignificantly dependent), and (iii) decomposition of the chromate into Cr₂O₃ at 415–490°C (significantly dependent). The decomposition CrO₃ → Cr₂(CrO₄)₃ is largely thermal and involves exothermic deoxygenation and polymerization reactions, whereas the decomposition Cr₂(CrO₄)₃ → Cr₂O₃ involves endothermic reductive deoxygenation reactions in air (or N₂) which are greatly accelerated and rendered exothermic in the presence of H₂. TG measurements as a function of heating rate (2–50°C min⁻¹) demonstrated the acceleratory role of H₂, which extended to the formation of Cr(II) species. This could sustain a mechanism whereby H₂ molecules are considered to chemisorb dissociatively, and then spillover to induce the reduction. DTA measurements as a function of the heating rate (2–50°C min⁻¹) helped in the derivation of non-isothermal kinetic parameters strongly supportive of the mechanism envisaged. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermally formed oxide films on Al–6Zn–XMg (<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis> = 0 and 2 mass%) alloys heated in different gases

In this study, thermogravimetric analysis (TG) testing is used to measure the mass loss of polished Al–6Zn–XMg (X = 0 and 2 mass%) alloy samples heated at 773 K for 6 h in dry air or nitrogen gas. The progressive development of thermally formed oxides on an Al–6Zn–XMg (X = 0 and 2 mass%) alloy as shown by X-ray diffractometer analyses is discussed. Zn-spinel and Mg-spinel are detected on the Al–6Zn and Al–6Zn–2Mg alloy samples, respectively, and then heated in the dry air atmosphere; AlN and Mg₃N₂ are detected in alloy samples heated in nitrogen gas. The chain reactions that cause the serrated change in the mass loss curve are proposed and discussed.     

Oxidation of Dimethyl Sulfide in Air Using Electron-Beam Irradiation,and Enhancement of its Oxidation Via an MnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Catalyst

The decomposition of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) at initial concentrations of 4.5–18.0 ppmv in air was studied under electron-beam (EB) irradiation. Doses to decompose 90% of input DMS were 2.5 kGy for 4.5 ppmv, 3.4 kGy for 10.6 ppmv, and 3.9 kGy for 18.0 ppmv. HCOOH, (CH₃)₂SO, and trace CH₃OH and (CH₃)₂SO₂ were produced as irradiation products in addition to CO₂ and CO. Application of an O₃ decomposition catalyst to an irradiated sample gas led to an enhancement in the oxidation of DMS and its products into CO₂ and the decomposition of O₃. For 10.6 ppmv DMS/air, the mineralization ratio increased from 41% via only EB irradiation to 100% via the combination treatment at 6.3 kGy. The yield of CO₂ to CO_x increased from 5.3 to 87.6% by combination with catalytic oxidation. This combination treatment enables the irradiation energy used to deodorize gas streams containing DMS to be reduced.     

Formation and Characterization of Large (Ar) n , (N2) n , and Mixed (Ar) n (N2) m van der Waals Clusters Produced by Supersonic Expansion

This paper reports the formation and characterization of large (Ar) _n , (N₂) _n , and mixed binary (Ar) _n (N₂) _m van der Waals clusters produced at room temperature in the process of supersonic expansion. The average cluster size is determined by the buffer gas induced beam-broadening technique. For both Ar and N₂ clusters, power variations of the average cluster size with the gas stagnation pressure P ₀ give size scaling as . The average cluster sizes of argon vary from 2950 to more than 30900 atoms per cluster with the argon gas stagnation pressures ranging from 4 to 14 bars, and of nitrogen vary from 600 to more than 10400 molecules per cluster with the nitrogen gas stagnation pressures ranging from 8 to 38 bars. The mixed binary (Ar) _n (N₂) _m cluster is produced by supersonic expansion of an Ar–N₂ mixture. The large mixed binary (Ar) _n (N₂) _m clusters with the average sizes n + m between 1000 and 16000 are obtained. In coexpansion of Ar–N₂ mixture, we find that the argon concentration becomes higher in the beam than before the expansion. This finding is discussed and may be helpful for further insight into the phenomenon of clustering.     

Synthesis of peroxy-radical condensates from mixtures of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>+O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

One of the methods for the synthesis of peroxy-radical condensates is the condensation at liquid nitrogen temperature of an H₂+O₂ mixture dissociated in an electrical discharge at low pressure. Peroxy-radical condensates are thought to contain substantial quantities of higher hydrogen peroxides H₂O₃ and H₂O₄. The present work investigates the influence of experimental parameters on the synthesis of peroxy-radical condensates from an H₂+O₂ mixture, analyses the relevant literature, and recommends the optimal experimental conditions for the synthesis. The synthesis is carried out in a U-tube electrical discharge reactor (inner diameter ∼15 mm), immersed in liquid nitrogen, at rather low pressure (0.5–1 Torr). The maximum conversion of initial O₂ into higher hydrogen peroxides was observed at a composition of initial gas mixture of 66.7% H₂ + 33.3% O₂.     

CCl<Subscript>4</Subscript> Decomposition in RF Thermal Plasma in Inert and Oxidative Environments

The decomposition of carbon tetrachloride was investigated in an RF inductively coupled thermal plasma reactor in inert CCl₄–Ar and in oxidative CCl₄–O₂–Ar systems, respectively. The exhaust gases were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The kinetics of CCl₄ decomposition at the experimental conditions was modeled in the temperature range of 300–7,000 K. The simulations predicted 67.0 and 97.9% net conversions of CCl₄ for CCl₄–Ar and for CCl₄–O₂–Ar, respectively. These values are close to the experimentally determined values of 60.6 and 92.5%. We concluded that in RF thermal plasma much less CCl₄ reconstructed in oxidative environment than in an oxygen-free mixture.     

Chlorinated Organic Compounds Decomposition in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

The decomposition of chlorinated volatile organic compounds by non-thermal plasma generated in a dielectric barrier discharge was investigated. As model compounds trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) were chosen. It was found that TCE removal exceeds 95% for input energy densities above 0.2 eV/molecule, regardless of the initial concentration of TCE, in the range 100–750 ppm. On the other hand, DCE was more difficult to decompose, the removal rate reached a maximum of 60% at the highest input energy used. For both investigated compounds the selectivity towards carbon dioxide was significantly influenced by their initial concentration, increasing when low concentrations were used. The gas flow rate had also an effect on CO₂ selectivity, which is higher at low flow rate, due to the higher residence time of the gas in the plasma. The best values obtained in these experiments were around 80%.     

Application of a dioxo-molybdenum(VI) complex anchored on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for the photochemical oxidative decomposition of 1-chloro-4-ethylbenzene under O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The catalytic activity of dioxo-molybdenum(VI)-dichloro[4,4′-dicarboxylato-2,2′-bipyridine] covalently anchored through the carboxylate function to the surface of TiO₂ has been tested for the oxidative degradation of 1-chloro-4-ethylbenzene in MeCN solution under argon and UV irradiation (λ = 254 nm). After 4–5 h of photochemical reaction, the Mo complex was reoxidized in the presence of O₂ in the dark, and then the reaction was continued under argon. The reaction proceeds by the intermediate formation of 4′-chloroacetophenone that undergoes further decomposition to chlorobenzene, plus small amounts of oxygen-containing organochlorine compounds, CO₂ and H₂O. Similar results were obtained for the decomposition of 4′-chloroacetophenone under the same conditions, which also gave chlorobenzene as one of the main products. The ratio of [final product]/[Mo complex] increases during the decomposition of 1-chloro-4-ethylbenzene (up to 350–400% for 30–35 h of reaction), which provides evidence of a catalytic process. The probable photochemical reactions are discussed.     

Transient Spark Discharge Generated in Various N2/O2 Gas Mixtures: Reactive Species in the Gas and Water and Their Antibacterial Effects

Reactive species generated in the gas and in water by cold air plasma of the transient spark discharge in various N₂/O₂ gas mixtures (including pure N₂ and pure O₂) have been examined. The discharge was operated without/with circulated water driven down the inclined grounded electrode. Without water, NO and NO₂ are typically produced with maximum concentrations at 50% O₂. N₂O was also present for low O₂ contents (up to 20%), while O₃ was generated only in pure O₂. With water, gaseous NO and NO₂ concentrations were lower, N₂O was completely suppressed and HNO₂ increased; and O₃ was lowered in O₂ gas. All species production decreased with the gas flow rate increasing from 0.5 to 2.2 L/min. Liquid phase species (H₂O₂, NO₂￣, NO₃￣, ^·OH) were detected in plasma treated water. H₂O₂ reached the highest concentrations in pure N₂ and O₂. On the other hand, nitrites NO₂￣ and nitrates NO₃￣ peaked between 20 and 80% O₂ and were associated with pH reduction. The concentrations of all species increased with the plasma treatment time. Aqueous ^·OH radicals were analyzed by terephthalic acid fluorescence and their concentration correlated with H₂O₂. The antibacterial efficacy of the transient spark on bacteria in water increased with water treatment time and was found the strongest in the air-like mixture thanks to the peroxynitrite formation. Yet, significant antibacterial effects were found even in pure N₂ and in pure O₂ most likely due to high ^·OH radical concentrations. Controlling the N₂/O₂ ratio in the gas mixture, gas flow rate, and water treatment time enables tuning the antibacterial efficacy.

     

Abnormally high heat generation by transition metals interacting with hydrogen and oxygen molecules

Abnormally high heats, exceeding 2000 kJ/mol (20 eV) per molecule of O₂, are generated by interaction of the oxygen with the hydrogen absorbed on palladium, gold and nickel particles at 25 °C to 220 °C. The highest heats were observed when the metals were treated with micromole quantities of argon, prior to absorption of hydrogen, as well as its interactions with metal particles reaching nanometer size. In the latter case the heat evolutions due to the interactions with hydrogen were approaching 5000 kJ/mol. The interactions with oxygen in inert gas environments, such as that of argon, yielded higher heat evolutions than those given by pure O₂ pulses injected into nitrogen carrier gas. The results revealed an important role of argon in increasing the intensity of atomic hydrogen-oxygen reactions to a level several times higher than the heat of water formation from molecular hydrogen and oxygen.     

Kinetic modeling of benzene and toluene decomposition in air and in flue gas under electron beam irradiation

Computer simulations of benzene and toluene decomposition in air (79% N₂+21% O₂) and in flue gas (87% N₂+10% O₂+3% H₂O+160 ppm SO₂+80 ppm NO) under electron beam (EB) irradiation were carried out using computer code KINETIC and GEAR method. 285 reactions involving 73 species and 294 reactions involving 78 species were considered for simulation of benzene and toluene decomposition, respectively. Calculation results of benzene and toluene decomposition in air under electron beam agree well with the published experimental results. OH radicals play a main role in benzene or toluene decomposition.     

Decomposition of Trimethylamine by an Electron Beam

To identify the decomposition characteristics of trimethylamine (TMA) by electron beam (EB), we conducted an experiment based on process parameters, including absorbed dose (2.5–10 kGy), background gas (air, O₂, N₂ and He), water content (1,200, 14,300, and 27,500 ppm), initial concentration (50, 100, and 200 ppm) and reactor type (batch or continuous flow system). Air background gas showed a maximum TMA removal efficiency of 86 % at 10 kGy and that was the highest efficiency of all background gases. Energy efficiencies were higher when the absorbed dose was lower (e.g., 2.5 kGy). Decomposition efficiencies of all initial TMA concentrations were approximately >90 % at 10 kGy. Removal efficiencies increased up to 30 % as water vapor increased. As a by-product, it is observed that CH₃ radical formed by EB irradiation was converted into CH₄ by reaction with residual TMA, (CH₃)₂NH, and H. These results suggest that EB technology can be applied for TMA treatment under low concentration and high flow rate conditions.     

Oxidation, Diffusion and Segregation in CuNi(Mn) Films Studied by AES

 The surface and in-depth compositions of sputter-deposited Cu_0.57Ni_0.42Mn_0.01 thin films were studied by Auger electron depth profiling after thermal treatment. The samples were thermally cycled to maximum temperatures of 300 °C to 550 °C in air, argon and forming gas (N₂, 5 vol. % H₂). Linear least-squares fit to standard spectra and factor analysis were applied to separate the overlapping Auger transitions of Cu and Ni. Under bombardment by 4 keV argon ions, CuNi(Mn) layers display bombardment-induced surface enrichment of Ni in the same extent as binary CuNi alloys. At sufficiently high oxygen partial pressures, a duplex oxide layer is formed and a thick surface copper oxide overgrows the initial nickel oxide. In reducing atmosphere selective oxidation of manganese takes place. A capping NiCr layer prevents CuNi(Mn) from being oxidized, but the film configuration is degraded with increasing annealing temperature due to formation of a surface chromium oxide and diffusion of Ni from the CuNi(Mn) layer into the NiCr/CuNi(Mn) interface.