Dilute TCE Decomposition by the Nonthermal Plasma Combined with MnO2-supported Alumina

Abstract

Atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasma has very high chemical reactivity and can decompose various toxic materials. The authors are engaged in decomposing the various kinds of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) by using the nonthermal plasma (typically barrier discharge reactor). To improve the energy efficiency, modification of the plasma reactor has been done. A new catalyst, manganese dioxide—supported alumina sphere of 3 mm in diameter was manufactured by ourselves for the combined process with the plasma. That can decompose the ozone very well, where the ozone is one of the typical byproducts produced by the strong barrier discharge in the air. At that ozone decomposition process, dilute TCE (trichloroethylene) is also oxidized very well. The ozone decomposition generates single atomic oxygen which oxidizes TCE very well. The total performance of that alumina assisted plasma process is investigated. The specific energy density (SED) is only 10 J/L when the TCE decomposition efficiency is more than 99 % which is the least record in our experiments. Moreover, the carbon balance from TCE to carbon oxide is also more than 90 % at the SED of 90 J/L.