Decomposition of hexane and benzene by dielectric barrier discharge plasma and reaction temperature: Comparison of performance of DC nano-second pulsed power supply and AC high voltage power supply

Abstract

The VOC decomposition performance of a dielectric barrier discharge plasma powered by a DC nano-second pulsed power system was compared with that of an AC high voltage power system. Benzene and hexane were selected as a representative aromatic VOC and a chain-structured VOC, respectively, and the decomposition of each VOC was conducted at the same applied voltage in both systems. The energy of electrons released from the plasma was analyzed, and the ozone production ability was evaluated under a constant applied voltage at different temperatures. Compared with AC high voltage system, the DC nano-second pulsed power system had about 32 times, 26 times, and 30 times better performances for ozone production yield, benzene decomposition yield, and hexane decomposition yield, respectively. For benzene decomposition, the ring cleavage reaction was constant at all reaction temperatures. On the other hand, the mineralization of hexane was largely improved by higher temperatures, because the dehydrogenation reaction was accelerated. Consequently, benzene decomposition was easier than hexane decomposition at the same energy.