Effect of Pressure on Chemical Reaction in a Liquid Phase Electrical Discharge Reactor

The effects of pressure on liquid phase electrical discharge was investigated using a stainless steel high pressure reactor combined with a high voltage pulse forming network. The initiation breakdown voltage was obtained under various pressures up to 1379000 pascal (200 psi). The discharge characteristics including current and voltage waveforms as well as power per pulse were recorded. The effect of pressure on chemical reaction was also investigated by measuring the formation rate of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in solution. Experimental results showed that the initiation voltage is linearly dependent on pressure. On the other hand, when the input voltage exceeds the initiation voltage, the discharge characteristics are not affected by pressure. Hydrogen peroxide generation was not affected by pressure for conditions with stable discharge. To explain the above results, the bubble theory of liquid phase breakdown initiation is discussed.