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.     

Novel Catalytic Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor for Gas-Phase Abatement of Isopropanol

Catalytic gas-phase abatement of air containing 250 ppm of isopropanol (IPA) was carried out with a novel dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor with the inner catalytic electrode made of sintered metal fibers (SMF). The optimization of the reactor performance was carried out by varying the voltage from 12.5 to 22.5 kV and the frequency in the range 200–275 Hz. The performance was significantly improved by modifying SMF with Mn and Co oxide. Under the experimental conditions used, the MnO _x /SMF showed a higher activity towards total oxidation of IPA as compared to CoO _x /SMF and SMF electrodes. The complete destruction of 250 ppm of IPA was attained with a specific input energy of ∼235 J/L using the MnO _x /SMF catalytic electrode, whereas, the total oxidation was achieved at 760 J/L. The better performance of the MnO _x /SMF compared to other catalytic electrodes suggests the formation of short-lived active species on its surface by the in-situ decomposition of ozone.     

A New Approach to Metal Surface Nitriding Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge at Atmospheric Pressure

A new approach to metal surface nitriding using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma at atmospheric pressure is presented in this paper. Results of the study show that the plasma nitriding at atmospheric pressure using DBDs is realizable. Harder and thicker compound layer and diffusion layer on the treated surface has been formed in shorter treatment time comparing with the conventional vacuum plasma nitriding, Increasing the applied voltage will facilitate the formation of a thicker nitrided layer using the DBD. The nitrided layer acquired by this new approach is mainly composed of ɛ phase and γ′ phase, and the crystal grains of the ɛ phase is fine and has high dislocations density.     

单电极介质阻挡放电离子源研究

介质阻挡放电离子源是一种常压敞开式离子源,由于免试剂、适用范围广、易于小型化等特点而备受关注.该类离子源多采用表面双电极或针-环电极设计方式.表面双电极的接地电极会减弱氦气在强电场中电离形成的流注崩头能量,缩短等离子束喷射距离.针-环电极的电场主要集中在针电极尖端,流注崩头能量小,等离子束喷射距离比表面双电极还短.本研究对放电影响因素进行分析,通过改变电极形状和增加绝缘介质部件进行电场调整,使强电场区域集中于电极一侧,解决了单电极回流放电问题,从而获得稳定、高效的等离子束,其最大长度可达8 cm以上.基于电场调整技术,研制出单电极介质阻挡放电离子源,它主要由惰性载气、高压电极、绝缘介质管、气控以及温控部分组成.使用新型离子源对咖啡因液态样品和扑热息痛固体药片进行了质谱分析,前者的定量曲线R2值为99.66％,100 μg/L的信噪比为23;后者的主要成分对乙酰氨基酚可在质谱中快速检出,响应强度为1.26×106.上述结果表明,新型离子源可以实现样品的定量和快速原位分析.     

Application of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor Immersed in Wastewater to the Oxidative Degradation of Organic Contaminant

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is an effective method available for the production of ozone and ultraviolet light. The wastewater treatment system of this study was designed to utilize both ozone and ultraviolet light produced in the DBD reactor for the degradation of organic contaminant. The DBD reactor consisted of a quartz cylinder and a coaxial ceramic tube inside of which a steel rod was placed. The DBD reactor was immersed in the wastewater that was grounded. In this case, the wastewater acted not only as an electrode but also as the cooling medium for the DBD reactor. An azo dye, Acid Red 27, was used as the organic contaminant. In this system, the organic contaminant was degraded by two oxidation pathways induced by ozone and ultraviolet light. The concentration of ozone, the ultraviolet radiation intensity and the degradation efficiency of the organic contaminant were measured by varying the discharge. The results showed that the present system was very effective for the degradation of the organic contaminant. The energy requirement for the degradation was found to be 0.654 kJ/mg, which is much smaller value than those obtained with an ultraviolet/photocatalytic process.     

Plasma-Catalytic Decomposition of Phenols in Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge

This study investigated the processes for the destruction of phenol and its derivatives (resorcin and pyrocatechol) in aqueous solutions under the action of an oxygen dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure in the presence or absence of catalysts in the plasma zone. It was shown that the DBD had a high decomposition efficiency for phenol and its derivatives (up to 99%). Phenol was the most stable and pyrocatechol was the least. In a plasma-catalytic hybrid process, the effective rate constants for phenol, resorcin and pyrocatechol decomposition were 11, 4 and 2.5 times higher, respectively, than those for the DBD treatment without catalysts. The process also resulted in a 1.4, 1.6 and 1.2 times higher rate of carboxylic acid formation for phenol, resorcin and pyrocatechol, respectively. The fractional conversion into the respective carboxylic acids reached 56% for phenol and 68% for resorcin and pyrocatechol.     

A Brief Catalyst Study on Direct Methane Conversion Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

A series of metal catalysts was used for methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons and hydrogen in a dielectric barrier discharge. The main goal of this study is to identify the metal catalyst components which can influence the reactions in room‐temperature plasma conditions. The catalysts supported by γ‐Al₂O₃ and zeolite (ZSM 5x) were prepared by the incipient wetness method with solutions containing the metal ions of the second component. Among the catalysts tested, only Pt and Fe catalysts showed a unique result of catalytic reaction in a reactor bed packed with glass beads.     

Destruction of Styrene in an Air Stream by Packed Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactors

This study presents the decomposition rates of styrene vapors with non-packed and packed bed dielectric barrier discharge reactors. The concentrations of intermediate byproducts at various plasma operation conditions were evaluated. The results showed that although styrene vapors could be almost completely removed at low styrene inlet concentration of 132 ppm, the selectivity of CO₂ as the major product was rather low in a non-packed bed reactor. It was found that solid carbon containing compound was the major byproduct. An increase in the styrene inlet concentration tended to reduce the styrene removal efficiency, it also led to increase in the solid byproduct. The reactors that packed with glass, Al₂O₃ or Pt–Pd /Al₂O₃ pellets could improve the styrene decomposition efficiency and reduce the formation of intermediate products, of which the best oxidation of styrene to CO₂ could be achieved with a Pt–Pd /Al₂O₃ packed bed reactor. The carbon byproducts could also be reduced if the rector length was increased. The concentrations of ozone formed during the plasma process were also evaluated for the non-packed and packed bed reactors. The plasma reactor that packed with Pt–Pd /Al₂O₃ pellets was proved to have the lowest O₃ concentration.     

高频介质阻挡放电烟气脱硫研究

采用高频介质阻挡放电的方式产生低温等离子体,研究在不加入NH₃的情况下流动态SO₂的去除情况.实验表明,在输入电压为12 kV,SO₂浓度为5400 mg/m³,气体流量为0.36 m³/h,相对湿度为55%时,脱硫率可达到70%以上;水气的存在对SO₂的去除有较大的促进作用,升高电压和增加O₂量对脱硫率的促进作用有限.对实验结果进行了解释,并提出了反应机理.     

Gas-Phase Removal of Acetaldehyde via Packed-Bed Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor

The effectiveness of applying packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge(PBDBD) technology for removing acetaldehyde from gas streams wasinvestigated. Operating parameters examined in this study include appliedvoltage, oxygen content, and gas-flow rate. Experimental results indicatethat the destruction efficiency of acetaldehyde predominantly depends onthe applied voltage. Removal of 99% of acetaldehyde has been achieved forgas streams containing 1000 ppmv acetaldehyde, 5% oxygen, with nitrogen asthe carrier gas. The oxygen content in the gas stream plays an importantrole in removing acetaldehyde within PBDBD. A higher CH3CHO removalefficiency is achieved for the gas stream containing less oxygen, since itwill dissipate energy due to its electronegative property. Carbon dioxideis the major end product, which is less hazardous to the environment and tohuman health. However, undesirable products, e.g., NO₂ and N₂O,CH₃OC₂H₅, CH₃COOH, CH₃NO₂,HCN, CH₃NO₃, and CH₃OH, are detected as well.     

Concentration Dependence of VOC Decomposition by Dielectric Barrier Discharges

A comparative study of the decomposition of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs: Vinyl Chloride (VC), Ethyl Acetate (EA), Toluene (T), Acetone (A)) in dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) in zero and humidified air at atmospheric pressure was performed. Small scale tubular-flow with pulse excitation and large scale planar-flow with sinusoidal excitation were used to determine the removal efficiency in dependence on inlet concentration S₀ and air humidity. According to the destruction law S=S₀ exp(–E/), where E is the plasma energy density, linear functions were found for the -parameters with respect to S₀ containing an absolute term ₀. By modeling the reaction kinetics it was possible to discriminate active species responsible for the decomposition. Ozone was confirmed to be involved in VC decomposition in zero air whereas OH radicals were best suited to explain the absolute efficiency of EA and toluene destruction in humid air. Their decomposition in zero air however, as well as the degradation of acetone cannot be explained in a similar way.     

介质阻挡放电引发氮氧化物等离子体化学反应

在523 K介质阻挡放电条件下,研究了不同气体组分体系中NO的转化.实验表明,在无氧体系(NO/N2)中,转化的NO主要分解为N2和O2.在富氧(NO/O2/N2)条件下,由于NO和NO2的生成, NO的转化率最低.体系中加入C2H4(NO/C2H4/N2)时, NO转化率与NO/N2体系几乎一样,与NO相比,生成的O更易与C2H4作用,几乎没有NO2的生成.当C2H4和O2共存时(NO/O2/C2H4/N2),NO主要被氧化为NO2.当能量密度为125 J•L－1时, 与其它体系相比,NO/O2/C2H4/N2体系中NO转化率和NO2生成量最大,转化每个 NO分子能耗最小(61 eV).体系中C2H4主要被氧化为CO.四个体系中N2O的生成量都较少.讨论了介质阻挡放电条件下上述四个体系可能的反应机制.     

A Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study of Chlorinated Organic Compounds. Part II: A ChemTraYzer Study of Chlorinated Dibenzofuran Formation and Decomposition Processes

In our two-paper series, we first present the development of ReaxFF CHOCl parameters using the recently published ParAMS parametrization tool. In this second part, we update the reactive Molecular Dynamics – Quantum Mechanics coupling scheme ChemTraYzer and combine it with our new ReaxFF parameters from Part I to study formation and decomposition processes of chlorinated dibenzofurans. We introduce a self-learning method for recovering failed transition-state searches that improves the overall ChemTraYzer transition-state search success rate by 10 percentage points to a total of 48 %. With ChemTraYzer, we automatically find and quantify more than 500 reactions using transition state theory and DFT. Among the discovered chlorinated dibenzofuran reactions are numerous reactions that are new to the literature. In three case studies, we discuss the set of reactions that are most relevant to the dibenzofuran literature: (i) bimolecular reactions of the chlorinated-dibenzofuran precursors phenoxy radical and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, (ii) dibenzofuran chlorination and pyrolysis, and (iii) oxidation of chlorinated dibenzofurans.     

Sterilization of Polymer Foils with Dielectric Barrier Discharges at Atmospheric Pressure

The emission of UV light as well as chemical reaction in plasmas allow them to be used for decontamination of food packaging. Sterilization efficiency of different dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) setups at atmospheric pressure was investigated for spores of B. subtilis and A. niger sprayed onto PET foils. In normal DBDs the efficiency of spore reduction in different gases (nitrogen, argon, synthetic air) can be related to the UV spectra of these gases in the discharge. With special so-called cascaded dielectric barrier discharges (CDBDs) a fast reduction of viable cells by more than four orders of magnitude is possible within few seconds, even for UV resistant cells. The sealing properties of commonly used PE-PET-laminate can be maintained in CDBD which is not observed for single-gap DBD.     

介质阻挡放电中OH自由基对甲醛脱除的影响

对管线式介质阻挡放电中的甲醛脱除进行了实验研究, 测量了介质阻挡放电产生的OH (A²Σ→X ²Π, 0-0)自由基发射光谱. 研究了在一个大气压下不同放电峰值电压、放电频率、添加氩气和氧气时甲醛脱除率与OH自由基发射光谱强度的变化关系. 实验结果表明: 在氮气含甲醛体系中, 提高放电峰值电压、放电频率和增大氩气含量时, 甲醛脱除率随OH (A²Σ→X ²Π, 0-0)自由基发射光谱强度的增强而提高; 当在氮气含甲醛体系中增大氧气含量时, 甲醛脱除率随OH (A²Σ→X ²Π, 0-0)自由基发射光谱强度的减弱而降低. 在11.5 kV放电峰值电压和9 kHz放电频率下, 氮气含甲醛体系中甲醛脱除率达93.8%.     

介质阻挡放电等离子体脱除氮氧化物的发射光谱研究

在大气压下, NO/N2体系中, 利用发射光谱技术对50 Hz和5 kHz交流介质阻挡放电等离子体在200～900 nm范围内进行了诊断. 在632、674.5、715.5和742 nm等处测得了N原子的谱线. 利用化学发光法NOx分析仪, 模块式红外吸收气体分析检测仪, 大气压下直连质谱多种检测手段对放电前后的稳定物种进行了分析, 观察到O2的生成. 初步讨论了无氧条件下介质阻挡放电等离子体中NO脱除的反应机制.     

Decomposition of Toluene and Acetone in Packed Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactors

The influences of TiO₂ catalytic material and glass pellet packing on the decomposition efficiency of toluene and acetone in air by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors were experimentally investigated in this study. The effects of both packing materials on the formation of byproducts such as CO and CO₂ were also evaluated. Experimental results indicate that the introduction of glass materials into the plasma zone of a wire-tube reactor would improve the decomposition efficiency of toluene and acetone compared to a nonpacked reactor. The apparent decomposition rate constant of a glass packed-bed reactor was 4.5–4.8 times greater than that of a nonpacked reactor. The results also indicate that the decomposition rate constant of toluene was approximately 2.6 times higher than that of acetone no matter which type reactor was utilized. The application of TiO₂ coated pellets in DBD reactors will enforce the hydrocarbon byproducts to further be oxidized to CO₂, notwithstanding, it will not significantly improve the performance of the reactors in the decomposition of toluene and acetone, and in the formation of CO. The results show that the best selectivity of CO₂ for acetone decomposition in a TiO₂ coated pellets packed-bed reactor was approximately 40% higher than that in a glass packed-bed reactor.     

CARS Diagnostic and Modeling of a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) with planar- and knife-shaped electrodes are operated in N₂O₂NO mixtures under a pressure of 20 and 98 kPa. They are excited by means of consecutive unipolar or bipolar high-voltage pulse packages of 10 kV at a pulse repetition rate of 1 and 2 kHz. The rotational and vibrational excitation of N ₂ molecules and the reduction of nitric oxide (NO) in the discharge have been investigated using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) technique. Rotational (gas) temperatures near the room temperature and vibrational temperatures of about 800 K at atmospheric pressure and 1400 K at a pressure of 20 kPa are observed. Therefore, chemical reactions of NO with vibrationally excited N ₂ are probably insignificant. One-dimensional kinetic models are developed that balance 35 chemical reactions between 10 species and deliver equations for the population density of excited vibrational levels of N ₂ together with a solution of the Boltzmann equation for the electrons. A good agreement between measured vibrational temperatures of N ₂ , the concentration of NO, and calculated data is achieved. Modeling of the plasma discharge verifies that a DBD operated with a N₂NO mixture reduces the NO content, the simultaneous presence of O ₂ , already 1%, is enough to prevent the NO reduction.     

低温等离子体原子化器-原子荧光光谱法测定碲

基于介质阻挡放电(DBD)原理和结构,建立了适用于原子荧光光谱仪(AFS)的低温等离子体小型原子化器(Atomizer),并研究了氢化物发生-低温等离子体原子化器-原子荧光光谱(HG-DBDAtomizer-AFS)测定环境样品中痕量碲(Te)的分析方法。DBD等离子体原子化器具有小型、低温等优点。对DBD放电结构和放电功率、载气气体流速,氢化物发生过程中的酸度、KBH4浓度,以及观测高度等实验条件进行了详细的考察并优化。本系统测定Te的检出限(3σ)为0.08μg/L;线性范围为0.5～80μg/L;测定精密度为2.1%(n=7);加标回收率为90%～103%。对国家级标准样品(GBW07404,GBW07405,GBW07406)进行测定,测定结果与标准值一致,证明本方法准确可行。     

氧气常压介质阻挡放电的发射光谱及能量传递机理

为研究氧气常压介质阻挡放电中的物理化学行为, 以纯氧作为放电体系, 用发射光谱(optical emission spectroscopy)诊断技术分析了等离子体中可能存在的化学活性物种. 利用在500-950 nm范围的氧原子发射光谱计算出等离子体中的电子温度为(1.02±0.03) eV; 观测了760 nm处的具有清晰转动结构的氧气A带(atmospheric band)O2(b1∑+g-X3∑-g), 并用其转动结构计算了转动温度(气体温度)为(650±20) K; 在500-700 nm范围观测了氧气的第一负带系(first negative system) O+2(b4∑-g-a4∏u), 在190-240 nm范围观测了微弱但特征清晰的氧气的Hopfield带系O+2(c4∑+u-b4∑-g). 研究发现, 在氧气常压介质阻挡放电等离子体中存在多种激发态氧原子、激发态氧气分子、基态和激发态氧气分子离子等反应活性物种, 这些活性物种的形成涉及氧气分子的激发、解离和电离等多种过程, 每个过程都包含多个能量传递步骤, 氧分子解离产生的氧原子是导致一系列高激发态氧原子生成和氧气电离激发的主要因素.