Comparison Study of Two Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Configurations for Plasma-Catalyst Development

In this work, we have studied the influences of electrode geometrical shapes on the optical properties of two non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jets, NTAPPjs. A capillary wired-electrode and a traditional ring-electrode NTAPPjs are used in this investigation. Both are driven by a high voltage pulsed power source in the kilovolt range and frequency of several kilohertz. An intensified charged coupled device, ICCD camera on nanosecond timescale is employed to study dynamic behaviour and formation of the plasma discharge. The method provided useful information about the spatial–temporal behaviour of the plasma pulses and the discharge between electrodes. Both plasma discharges are tested to confirm the role of low temperature plasma in the NOx and hydrocarbon oxidation which results from the main combustion of diesel fuel over Ag/Al2O3 catalyst. A plasma-catalyst reactor is designed and checked in environmental applications. A significant enhancement in the activity of the plasma catalyst reactors is observed through the strong conversion of both NOx and hydrocarbon at low activation temperature compared with the conventional thermal activation. The results can give a motivation for the development of plasma-catalyst reactors and the activity of conversions, which is still an urgent requirement in creating a clean environment.