Destruction and removal of toluene and MEK from gas streams with silent discharge plasmas

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Abstract
The effectiveness of applying silent discharge plasmas (SDP) for destroying and removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from gas streams is experimentally evaluated with a laboratory‐scale reactor. The VOCs selected for study include toluene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Direct collision with energetic electrons and reaction with generated gas‐phase radicals are two major mechanisms responsible for destruction and removal of VOCs from gas streams. Operating parameters investigated include applied voltage, gas residence time, and temperature and composition of the gas stream. Experimental results indicate that the removal efficiency of toluene and MEK achieved with SDP can be enhanced by operating the system at a higher gas temperature and applied voltage due to the generation of more energetic electrons and radicals. O2 is essential for removing VOCs from gas streams with SDP. More than 80% removal efficiencies were achieved with this system for both toluene and MEK. SDP can potentially serve as an alternative control technology for removing VOCs from gas streams.