We present the results of two-dimensional computer simulations of streamer initiation and propagation in atmospheric pressure N2. The simulation algorithm makes use of flux-corrected transport techniques and was used as a tool to study the solutions of the transport equations under conditions suitable for streamers, for which realistic analytic solutions are not known. We present and discuss conclusions about streamer transport based on the results of these studies. Finally, we present a novel method of checking on the numerical accuracy with which the algorithm solves the transport equations.
Here we report the experimental and simulation results of removal of SO2 and NO from a simulated coal combustion gas using a dielectric-barrier discharge. A Monte Carlo calculation is done to determine the transport properties of the flue gas. Following this, a detailed plasma chemistry calculation is done which takes into account the pulsed nature of the dielectric-barrier discharge. The computed results are in good agreement with the experimental data. We find that in low concentrations (400 ppm for SO2 and 100 ppm for NO) the dielectric-barrier discharge was capable of removing 99% of the SO2 and NO. Due to temperature dependence of the heavy particle reactions, there is a decrease in NO removal as the energy density is increased past an optimum value.
We report the results of an investigation of plasma assisted oxidation of SO2 to SO3. The SO3 is a more desirable byproduct of flue gas as opposed to SO2 because it can be dissolved in water easily and can be reacted with lime to form gypsum. A coaxial dielectric-barrier discharge is used to generate an air plasma to carry out the reaction. The dielectric-barrier discharge, which is an interrupted discharge, is very efficient in producing atomic oxygen and requires a simple form of excitation. We have observed a significant reduction (over 75%) in the SO2 concentration using this technique. The simulation results indicate that about 99% of the SO2 can be oxidized with UV-irradiation along with plasma oxidation and NOx can be reduced to N2 in the presence of an air plasma. The results of varying the gas composition, the gas pressure, and the gas flow are also reported.
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