Abstract

Objectives: In this paper, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor was investigated for degrading the dye Rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solutions. Methods: The DBD plasma reactor system in this study consisted of a plasma component [titanium discharge (inner), ground (outer) electrode and quartz dielectric tube], power source, and gas supply. The effects of various parameters such as first voltage (input power), gas flow rate, second voltage (output power), conductivity and pH were investigated. Results: Experimental results showed that a 99% aqueous solution of 20 mg/l Rhodamine B is decolorized following an eleven minute plasma treatment. When comparing the performance of electrolysis and plasma treatment, the RhB degradation of the plasma process was higher that of the electrolysis. The optimum first voltage and air flow rate were 160 V (voltage of trans is 15 kV) and 3 l/min, respectively. With increased second voltage (4 kV to 15 kV), RhB degradation was increased. The higher the pH and the lower conductivity, the more Rhodamine B degradation was observed. Conclusions: OH radical generation of dielectric plasma process was identified by degradation of N, N-dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline (RNO, indicator of OH radical generation). It was observed that the effect of UV light, which was generated as streamer discharge, on Rhodamine B degradation was not high. Rhodamine B removal was influenced by real second voltage regardless of initial first and second voltage. The effects of pH and conductivity were not high on the Rhodamine B degradation.

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