Proof of Principle of Wastewater Treatment using Plasma Discharge to Reduce the Amount of Methylparaben

Abstract

Synthetic substances like many pharmaceuticals, preservatives or other chemical compounds are actually very difficult to handle in sewage treatment. These compounds are very stable in aqueous solution and their degradation reactions are insufficient. Therefore, to eliminate these substances from wastewater additional afford is necessary. Extreme conditions like pH value, redox potential, chemical or physical energy need to be present. With our study we try to show that the use of plasma discharge could be a solution to this problem. Using the example of methylparaben, a preservative, we could show, that the physical energy of plasma discharge is able to initialize the degradation reaction in aqueous environment. The concentration was reduced by up to 70 percent in our setting depending on the treatment duration. Overall, the system showed potential to optimize wastewater treatment. Further examinations are necessary for example regarding undesirable by-products. Keywords: wastewater treatment, plasma discharge, high voltage, degradation