Decomposition of toluene using non-thermal plasma reactor at room temperature

A non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma utilizing a direct-current (DC) back-corona discharge was used to study the abatement of toluene in air at room temperature. Removal efficiency of toluene applying wire-plate geometry increases with increasing applied voltage. Experimental results indicate that about 93% toluene removal efficiency and very small formation of NOx (∼10 ppm) is achieved for air stream containing 70 ppm toluene concentration. The fact that the negative corona current is larger than that of the positive one at the same applied voltage (polarity effect) is connected with higher efficiency of the plasma reactor at negative discharge polarity.