Odor control using the AC barrier type plasma reactors

Odor control from living environment is becoming of increased concern. In the previous study, we investigated the removal of acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) which is one of the main odor components in tobacco smoke using the barrier type packed-bed plasma reactor. In the present paper, we reported on the new results of acetaldehyde, ammonia (NH₃) which is another odor component and tobacco smoke removals. In the experiment, two kinds of AC nonthermal plasma reactor were used. One is the packed-bed plasma reactor used in the previous study, the other is the film-type plasma reactor consisting of laminated parallel steel plate electrodes. This reactor has lower pressure drop and higher energy efficiency than the packed-bed plasma reactor. In the experimental results using the packed-bed plasma reactor, more than 95% of acetaldehyde removal efficiency was obtained under dry air and N₂ environment. As for NH₃ removal, almost 100% removal efficiency was obtained with minimum reaction byproduct under dry air environment. In the experimental results using the film-type plasma reactor, it was confirmed that more than 90% of acetaldehyde removal efficiency can be obtained when the applied voltage is 8 kV. The byproducts were quantified using a FTIR. The induced HNO₃ reacted with NH₃ to produce NH₄NO₃ aerosol. In treatment of tobacco smoke, one of the main components, NH₃ can be completely removed. However, complete removal of another main component, CH₃CHO, was difficult because of its low concentration