Decomposition of 1,2‐dichloroethane in an RF plasma environment

Abstract

A radio frequency (RF) plasma system has been used to decompose 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). Final products were identified by a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The main products of DCE decomposition in O 2 /Ar plasma were CO 2 , CO, and HCl. Other minor chlorinated products were CCl 4 , C 2 HCl 3 , C 2 H 3 Cl, C 2 Cl 4 , CHCl 3 , C 2 HCl 5 , and COCl 2 . Nonchlorinated products were C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6 , and HCOOH. The plasma reactor with a brass electrode had a higher decomposition fraction of DCE [η C 2 H 4 Cl 2 , (C in − C out )/C in × 100%] than that obtained with other materials (Au, Ni, and Cr). Different electrode configurations (inner and outer) were also evaluated for the decomposition of DCE. Argon plus oxygen was found to be the most suitable carrier/auxiliary gas for DCE decomposition. In addition, operational parameters for DCE decomposition in RF plasma including concentration, operational pressure, and total gas flow rate were evaluated.

Non‐Oxidative Conversion of 1,2‐Dichloroethane in a Non‐Thermal Plasma and Characterisation of the Polymer Formed

“…The major products obtained in the gas phase are vinyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, acetylene and ethylene. The product distribution reported by Li et al, [15] where only Ar was used as carrier gas, is markedly different from that reported in this paper, in relation to absence of polychlorinated hydrocarbons like CCl 4 , C 2 Cl 4 , CHCl 3 and C 2 HCl 5 in the current work. None of these species was detected during analysis of the product gas stream in our experiments.…”

“…None of these species was detected during analysis of the product gas stream in our experiments. This may be because of the relatively low concentration of EDC used in our experiments as compared to Li et al [15] Products such as vinyl chloride, acetylene, ethylene and ethane detected in our experiments are also reported by Li et al, [15] as well as Schulz et al [24] …”

“…The excitation energy of the lowest metastable state of argon is 11.55 eV. [27] EDC Decomposition EDC decomposition can occur as follows: [15,23] …”

“…Hydrogen Chloride Formation: [15,30] Hydrogen chloride may be formed due to following reaction pathways:…”

“…Li et al [15] have studied the oxidative decomposition of EDC under reduced pressure in a RF plasma environment using various carrier gases, while Bhat and Upadhyay [16] have modified polypropylene films using EDC plasma. Their work was related to adhesion enhancement of polypropylene films and characterization of the modified polypropylene surface.…”