Ethyl acetate removal by strong ionization dielectric barrier discharge and investigation on the decomposition pathway

Abstract

In this research, a dielectric layer made of a thin layer of α-Al2 O3 combined with a high-frequency highvoltage power source to construct a narrow discharge gap (0.6 mm) plasma generator to degrade ethyl acetate (EA) from polluted air, as one of the typical Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). The electrical discharge characteristics, Specific Input Energy (SIE), energy yield (EY) and initial concentration were studied. Finally, the intermediate products generated in the EA decomposition process were analyzed and determined by GCMS and the possible decomposition pathway was discussed. The results showed that strong ionization Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) reactor has good discharge characteristics and high removal efficiency on EA. Removal efficiency of 450 ppm EA at 12 L/min could reach 90% when SIE was more than 100 J/L. Furthermore, the EY was highest (48.7 g/kWh) when SIE was 102 J/L. The removal efficiency decreased with the increase of initial concentration and gas residence time and the optimum applied voltage for each concentration is distinct and in the range of 2.6-3.4 kV. Several intermediate products including ethanol, formic acid and acetic acid were detected and the possible reaction pathway of EA degradation in strong ionization Dielectric Barrier Discharge reactor was discussed finally