Decomposition of dilute trichloroethylene by nonthermal plasma

Decomposition performance of dilute toxic organic compound, trichloroethylene (TCE), in air by using nonthermal plasma processing was studied extensively. The nonthermal plasma was generated by the high frequency (2 kHz) or commercial frequency (50 Hz) barrier discharge in a fused silica tube. Three types of reactor, a bolt type, a rod type (both are barrier discharge type), or a coil type (surface discharge type), were tested. Analysis of by-products, residual materials and final products generated by the plasma process was done by a GC-MS or a normal GC. Most organic byproducts decrease with the increase of the electric discharge power but only toxic phosgene increases with the increase of the discharge power. As a post-process, NaOH solution bubbling was tested and it was found that it could absorb the phosgene. Comparison between nonthermal plasma and UV-irradiation to decompose TCE was studied. Concerning the energy efficiency, UV irradiation was much better than the discharge plasma