Effect of radial transport on the plasma remediation of nitrogen-oxides using dielectric barrier discharges

Summary form only given. Plasma remediation is being investigated as a means of removing NO/sub x/ from the exhausts of diesel engines. Typically, diesel exhausts contain N/sub 2/, O/sub 2/, CO/sub 2/, and H/sub 2/O with ppm levels of NO, CO, H/sub 2/ and unburned hydrocarbons (UHCs). In previous work investigating dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) for NO/sub x/ remediation, homogeneous global models were used to show that UHCs played an important role in remediation by providing a more oxidizing atmosphere to convert, for example, NO to NO/sub 2/. The transport of reactants from the core of the microstreamer have an influence on these remediation processes by limiting or enhancing the mixing of reactants, particularly those from previous pulses including the reaction products of UHCs. In this regard, the previous homogeneous model was extended to investigate radial transport of these reactants and products. The dynamics of streamer propagation, and ambipolar and diffusive transport will be discussed, and their effects on the the efficiency of NO/sub x/ removal will be quantified.