Application of Double-Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma for Removal of Pentachlorophenol from Wastewater Coupling with Activated Carbon Adsorption and Simultaneous Regeneration

Wastewater containing pentachlorophenol (PCP) was treated by granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption and double-dielectric barrier discharge (D-DBD) plasma. A packed bed D-DBD reactor was applied for removal of PCP on GAC and GAC regeneration, where the discharge gap was filled with GAC. PCP degradation efficiency of 65% and GAC regeneration efficiency (RE) of 87% were achieved. Effects of discharge power, treatment time and O2 flow rate on PCP degradation and GAC regeneration were investigated. Increasing discharge power, treatment time and O2 flow rate were favorable for PCP degradation, and also contributed to GAC RE. C–Cl bonds in PCP were cleaved by D-DBD plasma. Effect of D-DBD plasma on physical and chemical properties of GAC during GAC regeneration process was characterized by N2 adsorption and Boehm titration. This study is expected to demonstrate the feasibility of applying D-DBD plasma for efficient organic wastewater treatment by coupling with GAC adsorption.