Post-discharge treatment of air effluents polluted by butyl-mercaptan: the role of nitrate radical

Abstract

Dry air polluted by butyl-mercaptan was treated in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor at atmospheric pressure using air as plasmagene gas in discharge and post-discharge modes. The energy density was varied between 200 and 1300 J l−1. To assess the treatment efficiency, the concentrations of butyl-mercaptan, total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and SO2 were determined in the exhaust gas. Whatever the energy density was, the treatment efficiency was better in the post-discharge mode. Butyl-mercaptan could be completely eliminated from 400 J l−1 and SO2 selectivity was always low, below 10%. Measurements of CO, CO2 and total VOCs indicated that 50–70% of the reaction products were condensed on the reactor wall in the form of micro-droplets, depending on the energy density. FTIR and XPS techniques were used to characterize the reaction products which were soluble in water. These analyses indicated that the reaction products contained oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur in an oxidized form. A reaction mechanism involving hydrogen abstraction from the –SH bond by the nitrate radical was proposed, pointing out the important role of nitrate radicals NO3 in the reactivity of air flowing post-discharge.