In Plasma Catalytic Oxidation of Toluene Using Monolith CuO Foam as a Catalyst in a Wedged High Voltage Electrode Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor: Influence of Reaction Parameters and Byproduct Control

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission from anthropogenic sources has becoming increasingly serious in recent decades owing to the substantial contribution to haze formation and adverse health impact. To tackle this issue, various physical and chemical techniques are applied to eliminate VOC emissions so as to reduce atmospheric pollution. Among these methods, non-thermal plasma (NTP) is receiving increasing attention for the higher removal efficiency, non-selectivity, and moderate operation, whereas the unwanted producing of NO2 and O3 remains important drawback. In this study, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor with wedged high voltage electrode coupled CuO foam in an in plasma catalytic (IPC) system was developed to remove toluene as the target VOC. The monolith CuO foam exhibits advantages of easy installation and controllable of IPC length. The influencing factors of IPC reaction were studied. Results showed stronger and more stable plasma discharge in the presence of CuO foam in DBD reactor. Enhanced performance was observed in IPC reaction for both of toluene conversion rate and CO2 selectivity compared to the sole NTP process at the same input energy. The longer the contributed IPC length, the higher the toluene removal efficiency. The toluene degradation mechanism under IPC condition was speculated. The producing of NO2 and O3 under IPC process were effectively removed using Na2SO3 bubble absorption.

Chlorobenzene Removal Using DBD Coupled with CuO/γ-Al2O3 Catalyst

“…However, under a high flow rate (4 to 5 L•min −1 ), the removal efficiency of chlorobenzene in these reactors appeared to fluctuate slowly with flow rate. In the previous studies, Li et al found that the removal efficiency of VOCs will gradually decrease with the increase in flow rate with fixed discharge power, which is attributed to the longer residence time at a low flow rate [58]. In this study, it was found that the increase in flow rate is beneficial for the removal of the chlorobenzene when the discharge was carried with the same SED.…”

Investigation of ZrMnFe/Sepiolite Catalysts on Toluene Degradation in a One-Stage Plasma-Catalysis System

“…[5][6][7][8]. As a solution, the plasma, combined with catalyst measures, has been proved a promising method to solve these problems [7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

“…In this paper, a cylindrical double dielectric barrier discharge (DDBD) reactor, as one of the main atmosphere plasma generators, was used to investigate toluene degradation by NTP combined with catalysts [13,[34][35][36]. Sepiolite fiber was used as the catalyst carrier, and Fe 2 O 3 , MnO 2 and ZrO 2 were compounded to prepare a new ZrMnFeO x catalyst, so that the catalyst can simultaneously present the advantages of different single catalysts.…”

Plasma-catalytic oxidation of toluene on Fe2O3/sepiolite catalyst in DDBD reactor

“…Catalysis has been proven as a promising method to solve these problems. Plasma catalysis can enhance the removal of VOCs, reduce the energy consumption and by-products and improve CO x selectivity [9][10][11][12][13].…”