Achieving Better NOx Removal in Discharge Plasma Reactor by Field Enhancement

Application of plasma chemistry for gas cleaning is gaining prominence in recent years, mainly from an energy efficiency point of view. In this paper we conducted a comparative study of NO/NOx removal using two different types of dielectric barrier discharge electrodes, wire- cylinder reactor, pipe-cylinder reactor. Investigations were first carried out with synthetic gases to obtain the baseline information on the NO/NOx removal with respect to the two geometries studied. Further, experiments were carried out with raw diesel exhaust under loaded condition. A high NOx removal efficiency of 90% was observed for the pipe-cylinder reactor as compared to that of 53.4% for the wire-cylinder reactor. Furthermore, for the same energy consumed per NO molecule （about 73 eV/NO molecule）, the removal efficiency increased from 67% for the wire- cylinder to about 98% for the pipe-cylinder which was quite appreciable.     

Study on the Removal of SO2 from Simulated Flue Gas Using Dry Calcium-Spray with DBD Plasma

In this study, lime-hydrate （Ca（OH）2） desulfurizer was treated by plasma with strong ionization discharge of a dielectric barrier. The removal of SO2 from simulated flue gas was investigated. The principles of SO2 removal are discussed. Several factors affecting the efficiency of SO2 removal were studied. They included the ratio of calcium to sulfur （Ca/S）, desulfurizer granularity, residence time of the flue gas, voltage applied to the discharge electrode in the plasma generator, and energy consumption. Experimental results indicate that the increase in Ca/S ratio, the applied voltage and discharge power, the residence time, and the reduction in the desulfurizer granularity all can raise the SO2 removal efficiency. The SO2 removal efficiency was up to 91.3% under the following conditions, namely a primary concentration of SO2 of 2262×10^-6 （v/v） in the emission gas, 21%（v/v） of oxygen, 1.8% （v/v） of water, a Ca/S ratio of 1.48, a residence time of 2.8 s, a 3.4 kV voltage and a 10kHz frequency power applied to the discharge electrodes in the plasma generator, and a flow rate of 100 m^3/h for emission gas.     

Removal of NO and SO2 in Corona Discharge Plasma Reactor with Water Film

In this paper, a novel type of a corona discharge plasma reactor was designed, which consists of needle-plate-combined electrodes, in which a series of needle electrodes are placed in a glass container filled with flue gas, and a plate electrode is immersed in the water. Based on this model, the removal of NO and SO2 was tested experimentally. In addition, the effect of streamer polarity on the reduction of SO2 and NO was investigated in detail. The experimental results show that the corona wind formed between the high-voltage needle electrode and the water by corona discharge enhances the cleaning efficiency of the flue gas because of the presence of water, and the cleaning efficiency will increase with the increase of applied dc voltage within a definite range. The removal efficiency of SO2 up to 98%, and about 85% of NO~ removal under suitable conditions is obtained in our experiments.     

Enhanced Performance of Discharge Plasma in Raw Engine Exhaust Treatment-Operation under Different Temperatures and Loads

This paper reports improved performance of discharge plasma in raw engine exhaust treatment. For the purpose of investigation, both filtered and raw diesel engine exhaust were separately treated by the discharge plasma. In raw exhaust environment, the discharge plasma exhibits a superior performance with regard to NOx removal, energy consumption and formation of by-products. In this study, experiments were conducted at conditions of different temperatures and loads.     

N_2O Decomposed by Discharge Plasma with Catalysts

A great deal of attention has been focused on discharge plasma as it can rapidly decompose N_2O without additives,which is not only a kind of greenhouse gas but also a kind of damages to the ozone layer.The thermal equilibrium plasma is chosen to combine with catalysts to decompose N_2O,and its characteristics are analyzed in the present paper.The results indicate that NO and NO_2 were formed besides N_2 and O_2 during N_2O decomposition when N_2O was treated merely by discharge plasma.Concentration of NO declined greatly when the discharge plasma was combined with catalysts.Results of Raman spectra analysis on CeO_2,Ce_(0.75)Zr_(0.25)O_2and Ce_(0.5)Zr_(0.5)O_2 imply that the products selectivity has been obviously improved in discharge plasma decomposing N_2O because of the existence of massive oxygen vacancies over the composite oxide catalysts.     

Mechanism and Kinetics Analysis of NO/SO2/N2/O2 Dissociation Reactions in Non-Thermal Plasma

The kinetics mechanism of the dissociation reactions in a NO/SO2/N2/O2 system was investigated in consideration of energetic electrons＇ impacts on a non-thermal plasma. A model was derived from the Boltzmann equation and molecule collision theory to predict the dissociation reaction rate coefficients. Upon comparison with available literature, the model was confirmed to be acceptably accurate in general. Several reaction rate coefficients of the NO/SO2/N2/O2 dissociation system were derived according to the Arrhenius formula. The activation energies of each plasma reaction were calculated by quantum chemistry methods. The relation between the dissociation reaction rate coefficient and electron temperature was established to describe the importance of each reaction and to predict relevant processes of gaseous chemical reactions. The sensitivity of the mechanism of NO/SO2/N2/O2 dissociation reaction in a non-thermal plasma was also analysed.     

Observation of an Enhanced Magnetic Helicity Injection Mode by a Rotating Plasma Annulus

Coaxial plasma guns are commonly used to inject magnetic helicity in innovative confinement concepts (ICC’s) for magnetic fusion. One of the key issues in magnetic helicity injection is to maximize the magnetic helicity injection rate. We have identified experimentally an alternative way to increase the magnetic helicity injection rate through rotating plasmas by extending the length of the inner electrode of a coaxial plasma gun so that an additional E × B region interweaves the standard J//B configuration. In the so-called “enhanced helicity injection” mode, the gun voltage is larger compared with the “normal” mode and decays more slowly. Another signature of the enhanced mode is increased edge magnetic field in conjunction with larger edge rotation. The results indicate that tuning plasma rotation is another way to enhance magnetic helicity injection using coaxial plasma guns. An alternative ICC is proposed based on the experimental observations.     

Experimental Study of SO2 Removal by Pulsed DBD Along with the Application of Magnetic Field

Dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） for SOs removal from indoor air is investigated. In order to improve the removal efficiency, two novel methods are combined in this paper, namely by applying a pulsed driving voltage with nanosecond rising time and applying a magnetic field. For SOs removal efficiency, different matches of electric field and magnetic field are discussed. And nanosecond rising edge pulsed power supply and microsecond rising edge pulsed power supply are compared. It can be concluded that a pulsed DBD with nanosecond rising edge should be adopted, and electrical field and magnetic field should be applied in an appropriate match.     

Influence of Additive Gas on Electrical and Optical Characteristics of Non-equilibrium Atmospheric Pressure Argon Plasma Jet

Electrical and optical properties of an argon plasma jet were characterized. In particular, effects of an additive gas, namely nitrogen or oxygen, on these prop...     

Application of DBD and DBCD in SO2 Removal

The dielectric barrier corona discharge(DBCD) in a wire-cylinder configuration and the dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) in a coaxial cylinder configuration are studied. The discharge current in DBD has a higher pulse amplitude than in DBCD. The dissipated power and the gas-gap voltage are calculated by analyzing the measured Lissajous figure. With the increasing applied voltage, the energy utilization factor for SO2 removal increases in DBCD but decreases in DBD because of the difference in their electric field distribution. Experiments of SO2 removal show that in the absence of NH3 the energy utilization factor can reach 31 g/kWh in DBCD and 39 g/kWh in DBD.     

Study of Pulsed Plasma in a Crossed Flow Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor for Improvement of NOx Removal in Raw Diesel Engine Exhaust

Improved performance of plasma in raw engine exhaust treatment is reported. A new type of reactor referred to as of cross-flow dielectric barrier discharge was used, in which the gas flow is perpendicular to the corona electrode. In raw exhaust environment, the cross-flow (radial-flow) reactor exhibits a superior performance with regard to NOX removal when compared to that with axial flow of gas. Experiments were conducted at different flow rates ranging from 2 to 25 l/min. The plasma assisted barrier discharge reactor has shown encouraging results in NOX removal at high flow rates.     

Fischer-Tropsch Performance of an SiO2-Supported Co-Based Catalyst Prepared by Hydrogen Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Plasma

A silica-supported cobalt catalyst was prepared by hydrogen dielectric-barrier dis- charge （H2-DBD） plasma. Compared to thermal hydrogen reduction, H2-DBD plasma treatment can not only fully decompose the cobalt precursor but also partially reduce the cobalt oxides at lower temperature and with less time. The effect of the discharge atmosphere on the property of the plasma-prepared catalyst and the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis activity was studied. The re- sults indicate that H2-DBD plasma treatment is a promising alternative for preparing Co/SiO2 catalysts from the viewpoint of energy savings and efficiency.     

Decontamination of 2-Chloroethyl Ethyl Sulfide by Pulsed Corona Plasma

Decontamination of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide （2-CEES, CH_3CH_2SCH_2CH_2C1） by pulsed corona plasma was investigated. The results show that 212.6 mg/m^3 of 2-CEES, with the gas flow rate of 2 m^3/h, can be decontaminated to 0.09 mg/m^3. According to the variation of the inlet and outlet concentration of 2-CEES vapor with retention time, it is found that the reaction of 2-CEES in a pulsed corona plasma system follows the first order reaction, with the reaction rate constant of 0.463 s^-1. The decontamination mechanism is discussed based on an analysis of the dissociation energy of chemical bonds and decontamination products. The C-S bond adjacent to the C1 atom will be destroyed firstly to form CH3CH2S. and .CH2CH2C1 radicals. CH3CH2S. can be decomposed to .C_2H_5 and .S..S can be oxidized to SO_2, while .C_2H_5 can be finally oxidized to CO_2 and H_2O. The C-Cl bond in the .CH_2CH_2C1 radical can be destroyed to form .CH_2CH_2. and .C1, which can be mineralized to CO_2, H_2O and HCl. The H atom in the .CH_2CH_2C1 radical can also be substituted by -C1 to form CHCl_2-CHCl_2.     

Treatment of Dye Wastewater by Using a Hybrid Gas/Liquid Pulsed Discharge Plasma Reactor

A hybrid gas/liquid pulsed discharge plasma reactor using a porous ceramic tube is proposed for dye wastewater treatment. High voltage pulsed discharge plasma was generated in the gas phase and simultaneously the plasma channel was permeated through the tiny holes of the ceramic tube into the water phase accompanied by gas bubbles. The porous ceramic tube not only separated the gas phase and liquid phase but also offered an effective plasma spreading channel. The effects of the peak pulse voltage, additive gas varieties, gas bubbling rate, solution conductivity and TiO2 addition were investigated. The results showed that this reactor was effective for dye wastewater treatment. The decoloration efficiency of Acid Orange II was enhanced with an increase in the power supplied. Under the studied conditions, 97% of Acid Orange II in aqueous solution was effectively decolored with additive oxygen gas, which was 51% higher than that with argon gas, and the increasing 02 bubbling rate also benefited the decoloration of dye wastewater. Water conductivity had a small effect on the level of decoloration. Catalysis of TiO2 could be induced by the pulsed discharge plasma and addition of TiO2 aided the decoloration of Acid Orange II.     

Enhanced electrocatalytic activity of carbon cloth by synergetic effect of plasma and acid treatment

Commercial carbon cloth(CC) is an ideal electrocatalysis material to produce oxygen evolution reaction(OER) due to its high conductive and 3 D flexible structure, but the lacked active sites limit its application. For improving its OER performance, the present study proposed an effective method combining plasma and acid treatment to introduce oxygen-containing functional groups and produce more active sites on its surface. Compared to the pristine CC, the plasma and acid treated carbon cloth(PN-CC) delivers a reduced overpotential by 34.6% to achieve current density of 10 m A cm~(-2). The Tafel slope declines from 97.5 m V dec~(–1)(pristine CC) to 55.9 m V dec~(–1)(PN-CC), showing an increased OER kinetic. Additionally, PN-CC electrocatalyst shows outstanding stability after 5000 cycles or 25 000 s. The combination of plasma and acid treatment shows a significant potential in surface modification for electrocatalysts.     

Preparation of Spherical Bi2O3 Powder by Plasma and Precipitation Processes

Spherical Bi2O3 powder prepared by plasma chemical vapor reaction and aqueous chemical precipitation is studied. The superfine spherical Bi2O3 powder with an average diameter of 1 μm is made by plasma process. During the precipitation process, the micrograph of the Bi2O3 powder can be controlled through the reaction temperature, the rate of addition of the precipitation reagent, the reaction time and the amount of the dispersant. Accordingly, spherical Bi2O3 powder with diameters ranging from 2μm to 3μm is prepared. The spherical Bi2O3 particles have such advantages as uniform size distribution and excellent dispersing property. ZnO varistors made from the resultant powder exhibit properties of a low discharge voltage ratio, great eligibility coefficient measured by a rectangle wave of 2 ins 800 A and good stability in the above characteristics.     

Conversion of Methane to C2 Hydrocarbons and Hydrogen Using a Gliding Arc Reactor

Methane conversion has been studied using gliding arc plasma in the presence of argon.The process was conducted at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature.The focus of this research was to develop a process of converting methane to C2 hydrocarbons and hydrogen. The main parameters,including the CH4/Ar mole ratio,the CH4 flow rate,the input voltage,and the minimum electrode gap,were varied to investigate their effects on methane conversion rate, product distribution,energy consumption,carbon deposit,and reaction stability.The specific energy requirement(SER) was used to express the energy utilization efficiency of the process and provided a practical guidance for optimizing reaction conditions for improving energy efficiency. It was found that the carbon deposition was not conducive to methane conversion,and the gliding arc plasma discharge reached a stable state twelve minutes later.Optimum conditions for methane conversion were suggested.The maximum methane conversion rate of 43.39%was obtained under the optimum conditions.Also,C2 hydrocarbons selectivity,C2 hydrocarbons yield,H2 selectivity, H2 yield and SER were 87.20%,37.83%,81.28%,35.27%,and 2.09 MJ/mol,respectively.     

Recent Development of CO_2 Reforming of CH_4 by “Arc” Plasma

This paper presents a brief overview of CO_2 reforming of CH_4(CRM) by various forms of "arc" plasma, which is more suitable to CRM, and the energy efficiency is used to evaluate different plasma processes specifically. According to the reported results, the arc thermal plasma with binode exhibited better performance. Moreover, the plasma CRM process was compared with the reported plasma steam reforming of CH_4(SRM) process, and the results showed that the former process has advantages on energy efficiency and CH_4 consumption. Additionally,it is believed that the plasma CRM process would be competitive with the conventional SRM process in both energy efficiency and CO_2 emission once the heat management is emphasized and the renewable power is used. Finally, a concept of plasma reactor for industrial application is proposed.     

Formation mechanism of Al_2O_3/MoS_2 nanocomposite coating by plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO)

In this study, an Al_2O_3/MoS_2 nanocomposite coating was created on an aluminum 1050 substrate using the plasma electrolytic oxidation method. The zeta potential measurements showed that small MoS_2 particles have negative potential and move toward the anode electrode.The nanoparticles of MoS_2 were found to have a zeta potential of-25 mV, which prevents suspension in the solution. Thus, to produce an Al_2O_3/MoS_2 nanocomposite, one has to use the microparticles of MoS_2. The X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the produced coatings contained α-Al_2O_3, γ-Al_2O_3, and MoS_2, and that the size of MoS_2 particles can be reduced to 30 nm. It was observed that prolonged suspension in the electrolyte results in an enhanced formation of an Al_2O_3/MoS_2 nanocomposite. Using the results, it was hypothesized that the mechanism of the formation of the Al_2O_3/MoS_2 nanocomposite coating on the aluminum 1050 substrate is based on electrical energy discharge.     

HL-2A芯部等离子体ITG模和TE模增长率研究

本文基于双流体模型,通过理论分析获得了芯部离子温度梯度(ITG)模和俘获电子(TE)模的色散关系。在Weiland模型的基础上,考虑了离子平行方向速度和TE的影响,计算了碰撞对ITG模和TE模增长率的影响。对HL-2A等离子体的计算结果表明,芯部等离子体的ITG模和TE模增长率与扰动波数密切相关,磁剪切对ITG模有明显的抑制作用。