A nonthermal plasma technique in the form of dielectric barrier discharge has been studied on a laboratory scale for the removal of NO x and SO 2 . The experimental parameters investigated are voltage, frequency, pollutant concentration, and energy density. Effect of O 2 , H 2 O, and CO 2 on NO x conversion is presented. The effect of chemical compounds such as CO, CH 4 , and C 2 H 4 on NO x conversion is also investigated. The chemistry of plasma reactions is discussed. Nonthermal plasma is found to be effective for the oxidization of NO into reactive NO 2 in the presence of O 2 and hydrocarbons. Conversions show wide variations in the presence of oxygen and moisture. Experimental results also show that nonthermal plasma can be used to convert SO 2 to SO 3 . In addition, the effect of reactor geometry and dielectric materials on SO 2 conversion is also discussed.
The pronounced volatility of elemental mercury (Hg0) and some of its compounds, coupled with their extreme
toxicity, makes these substances extremely hazardous. Conversion of Hg0 to HgO would significantly enhance
mercury removal from flue gases. This investigation is focused on studying the effect of some of the constituents
such as O2, H2O, CO2, and NO
x
present in flue gases on elemental mercury oxidation in a dielectric barrier
discharge (DBD) reactor. The results show that Hg vapors (6 ppbv) in a stream of 0.1% O2 and N2 are
effectively oxidized at the energy density of up to 114 J/L. Hg conversion of over 80% is achieved when
present in a gas mixture of 8% O2, 2% H2O, and 10% CO2 in N2 balance. The presence of NO
x
enhanced
mercury oxidation in the DBD reactor. The oxidation chemistry is discussed. Studies show that Hg can be
simultaneously removed along with the other two major pollutants, NO
x
and SO2, in one DBD reactor followed
by a wet scrubber system. This avoids the need of three techniques for the removal of major gaseous pollutants
from coal-fired power plants.
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