Nonthermal plasma for gaseous pollution control

A nonthermal plasma technique in the form of dielectric barrier discharge has been studied on a laboratory scale for the removal of NOx and SO2. The experimental parameters investigated are voltage, frequency, pollutant concentration, and energy density. Effect of O-2, H2O, and CO2 on NO, conversion is presented. The effect of chemical compounds such as CO, CH4, and C2H4 on NO, conversion is also investigated. The chemistry of plasma reactions is discussed, Nonthermal plasma is found to be effective for the oxidization of NO into reactive NO2 in the presence Of O-2 and hydrocarbons. Conversions show wide variations in the presence of oxygen and moisture. Experimental results also show that nonthermal plasma can be used to convert SO2 to SO3. In addition, the effect of reactor geometry and dielectric materials on SO2 conversion is also discussed.