Abstract
Plasma-induced advanced oxidation processes do not suffer from the drawbacks, such as carcinogenic by-products, associated with conventional water treatment, and enable the removal of micro-pollutants. The high oxidation strength of hydroxyl radicals enables degradation of resistant contaminants. Many reactions are known to occur at the plasma-water interface; however, the mechanisms of hydroxyl radical production are still not clear.
To understand the physical and chemical processes occurring at the plasma-water interface, this research involved investigation of the hydroxyl radicals produced during d.c. streamer discharges. A needle-plate electrode configuration in atmospheric air was used, with the treated solution used as the ground electrode. To understand the effects of polarity and gas type on hydroxyl radical production, both positive- and negative-polarity energization in air, nitrogen and helium were investigated. Plasma filaments were developed from the needle electrode, which was in contact with the solution. Terephthalic acid (TA) was used as a scavenger of hydroxyl (OH) radicals, with OH density subsequently being quantified by fluorescence emission from 2-hydroxyterephthalic acid (HTA), which is formed through specific reaction between TA and OH.
The power inputs in positive pulsed streamer discharges were 0.125 W, 0.18 W and 0.26 W in air, nitrogen and helium, respectively; the corresponding hydroxyl radical production efficiencies were 0.56 mmol/kWh, 1.1 mmol/kWh and 5.94 mmol/kWh, respectively. For negative pulsed streamer discharges in air, the power input was 0.063 W and the efficiency was 1 mmol/kWh. The hydroxyl radical production rates were 2.6× 10-7 Ms-1 in negative air discharges, and 2.7× 10-7 Ms-1, 1.8× 10-6 Ms-1, and 2.2× 10-6 Ms-1 in positive air, nitrogen and helium discharges, respectively.
To understand the physical and chemical processes occurring at the plasma-water interface, this research involved investigation of the hydroxyl radicals produced during d.c. streamer discharges. A needle-plate electrode configuration in atmospheric air was used, with the treated solution used as the ground electrode. To understand the effects of polarity and gas type on hydroxyl radical production, both positive- and negative-polarity energization in air, nitrogen and helium were investigated. Plasma filaments were developed from the needle electrode, which was in contact with the solution. Terephthalic acid (TA) was used as a scavenger of hydroxyl (OH) radicals, with OH density subsequently being quantified by fluorescence emission from 2-hydroxyterephthalic acid (HTA), which is formed through specific reaction between TA and OH.
The power inputs in positive pulsed streamer discharges were 0.125 W, 0.18 W and 0.26 W in air, nitrogen and helium, respectively; the corresponding hydroxyl radical production efficiencies were 0.56 mmol/kWh, 1.1 mmol/kWh and 5.94 mmol/kWh, respectively. For negative pulsed streamer discharges in air, the power input was 0.063 W and the efficiency was 1 mmol/kWh. The hydroxyl radical production rates were 2.6× 10-7 Ms-1 in negative air discharges, and 2.7× 10-7 Ms-1, 1.8× 10-6 Ms-1, and 2.2× 10-6 Ms-1 in positive air, nitrogen and helium discharges, respectively.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Proceedings of IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference 2015 |
| Place of Publication | Piscataway, NJ. |
| Publisher | IEEE |
| Pages | 1-4 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781479984039 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 12 Oct 2015 |
| Event | 2015 IEEE Pulsed Power Conference - TX, Austin , United States Duration: 31 May 2015 → 4 Jun 2015 |
Conference
| Conference | 2015 IEEE Pulsed Power Conference |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | Austin |
| Period | 31/05/15 → 4/06/15 |
Keywords
- hydroxyl radical
- hydrogen peroxide
- non-thermal plasma
- plasma water interface reactions