Engine-exhaust abatement using atmospheric pressure plasma

Summary form only given. Vehicular and industrial emissions are a leading cause of air pollution and various countries are imposing stricter standards on both the quality and quantity of permissible emissions. We have created a novel radial plasma reactor at Colorado State University that can potentially be used for treating engine-exhaust. The device is powered by a 60 MHz RF power supply and operates in the non-thermal temperature range. The device uses a feed-gas mixture of ammonia and an inert gas (helium). The engine-exhaust (~250degC) passes through the plasma reactor where powerful plasma species convert harmful nitric oxides (NO_x) into relatively harmless products. Also the plasma can potentially reduce unburned hydrocarbons and particulate matter that is routinely present in engine-exhaust. Initial experiments have shown a promising reduction in the levels of NO_x from engine-exhaust after plasma treatment. These developments lead us to believe that this reactor with a few refinements can be part of an effective exhaust abatement strategy