A freely localized microwave discharge for removal of chlorofluorocarbon contamination from the atmosphere

Abstract

Intense microwave beams are proposed to be used for cleaning atmospheric chlorofluorocarbon contamination which is destroying the ozone layer of the Earth. It is shown that it may be possible to excite microwave discharges freely localized in the troposphere. The relation between the quantity of the destroyed chlorofluorocarbons and discharge parameters is established, the energy required for destruction is evaluated and possible unfavourable consequences of the accompanying effects (such as nitrogen oxides production) are analysed. The mechanism of dissociative electron attachment which is manifested in a cold decaying plasma of a pulsed microwave discharge is considered to be a principle mechanism causing dissociation of chlorofluorocarbons (CF2Cl2, CFCl3, etc.). The results are presented of a model laboratory experiment in which, under conditions close to those of free space, a study is made of the efficiency of chlorofluorocarbon dissociation under the action of the discharge produced in air by intense microwave radiation. The experimental results do not contradict the conclusions of the analysis of elementary processes causing the destruction of the chlorofluorocarbon component.

Electron Interactions with CCl2F2

“…As expected, these studies have found that Cl Ϫ is the dominant fragment negative ion. 97 Askaryan et al 98 found that ''the mechanism of dissociative electron attachment which is manifested in a cold decaying plasma of a pulsed microwave discharge is a principal mechanism causing dissociation of chlorofluorocarbons ͑CCl 2 F 2 ).'' In another study involving negative ions of CCl 2 F 2 , the role of negative ions in particle formation in low-pressure discharges of the CCl 2 F 2 /Ar/Si system has been investigated.…”

CCl4 Decomposition in RF Thermal Plasma in Inert and Oxidative Environments

“…Since the 1980s several papers have been published on this topic using incineration technology like burning, catalytic oxidation or even plasma technology. Most of these papers are experimental work [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. In our previous papers, the decomposition of CCl 4 in thermal RF plasma was investigated in inert (CCl 4 -Ar) [20] and in oxidative (CCl 4 -O 2 -Ar) [21] environments.…”

Spectroscopic Study on Vibrational Distribution of N2 C3Π and B3Π States in Microwave Nitrogen Discharge

“…To understand atmospheric and ionospheric physics, including NO x generation or ozone destruction, we should examine the kinetics of the electronic and vibrational excited states of nitrogen discharge. [7][8][9] When we examine problems and fundamental issues related to the above applications, the state of nonequilibrium in the vibrational and electronic excited states in nitrogen plasma is essential. In this study, we analyze the vibrational and rotational temperatures of the C 3 Å and B 3 Å states of the N 2 molecule by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) to elucidate the state of nonequilibrium.…”