Plasma remediation of trichloroethylene in silent discharge plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of Applied Physics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.354241· OSTI ID:5975252

Evans, D ^[1]; Rosocha, L A; Anderson, G K; Coogan, J J ^[2]; Kushner, M J ^[1]

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1. University of Illinois, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1406 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801 (United States)
2. Los Alamos National Laboratory, Chemical and Laser Science Division, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

Plasma destruction of toxins, and volatile organic compounds in particular, from gas streams is receiving increased attention as an energy efficient means to remediate those compounds. In this regard, remediation of trichloroethylene (TCE) in silent discharge plasmas has been experimentally and theoretically investigated. We found that TCE can be removed from Ar/O[sub 2] gas streams at atmospheric pressure with an energy efficiency of 15--20 ppm/(mJ/cm[sup 3]), or 2--3 kW h kg[sup [minus]1]. The majority of the Cl from TCE is converted to HCl, Cl[sub 2], and COCl[sub 2], which can be removed from the gas stream by a water bubbler. The destruction efficiency of TCE is smaller in humid mixtures compared to dry mixtures due to interception of reactive intermediates by OH radicals.

• OSTI ID: 5975252
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics; (United States) Vol. 74:9; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540220 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
661300 -- Other Aspects of Physical Science-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANTIGENS
DETOXIFICATION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXINS
VOLATILITY