Effective dielectric barrier discharge reactor operation for decomposition of volatile organic compounds

The effectiveness of a surface dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor was evaluated over a range of relative humidiy (RH), discharge areas and applied powers. Primary goals included maximizing toluene decomposition efficiency and CO2 selectivity while maintaining a high specific energy density and energy yield. Humidity was a limiting factor, although it did not significantly increase the energy efficiency of the system. A RH of 20% was found to be optimal for toluene abatement, and large discharge areas decreased the energy yield by increasing the rate of power consumption. At a frequency of 60 Hz and an applied voltage of 4.3 kV, 8.4, 6.4 and 4.3 g/kWh of toluene was removed at discharge areas of 215, 430 and 645 cm(2), respectively. Energy efficiency was also reduced at high applied power by ozone formation in the reactor. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.