The byproduct generation analysis of the NOx conversion process in dielectric barrier discharge plasma

Abstract

Abatement of NO_x through non-thermal plasma (NTP) processes has been developed over the past several years. Since discharge plasma contains a large amount of highly active species during the reaction process, NO_x is removed during our desired conversion reaction, as well as production of other byproducts, such as O₃ and N₂O. The effect of reaction conditions, such as oxygen content, discharge power, operation time, initial NO concentration and gas residence time, on generation characteristics of O₃ and N₂O was investigated. Results showed that, with increasing oxygen concentration and discharge power, the production of N₂O and O₃ increases. Additionally, O₃ concentration decreases with increasing operation time; the higher input power, the higher the temperature increases, causing a greater reduction rate of O₃, which also leads to a reduction of NO₂ production. NO concentration and gas residence time also exert effects on the generation of byproducts.