Examination of the Optimized Conditions for the Conversion of NOX Pollution in DBD Plasma Reactor

Abstract

<em>Since NO_x family, one of the most important causes of air pollution, is the primary source of acid rains, ozone layer depletion, and breathing disorders, mitigation of these pollutants is now a global concern. In the off-gases of internal combustion engines running with oxygen excess, non-thermal plasmas (NTPs) have an oxidative potential, which results in an effective conversion of NO to NO₂. This paper aims at studying the methods of mitigating and eliminating NO_x in an atmospheric and non-thermal condition by means of plasma reactors. It examines some key parameters such as temperature, space velocity, voltage, and propane/NO_x mole ratio. The results showed that, the space velocity in the 11500-2300 h^-1 domain did not show any significant results on the NO_x conversion. Our findings also revealed that the optimal conditions for conversion of NO into N₂, O₂, and NO₂ are temperature (180 </em><em>^◦</em><em>C), voltage (10 kV), and equal mole ratio of propane in NO_x. In this condition, the optimal conversion efficiency of 78% and the standard deviation of 12% were obtained. The optimal temperature, voltage, and the mole ratio of propane in NO_x conversion to N₂ and O₂. (efficiency=53% ) are 180</em><em>^◦</em><em>C, 5 kV, and 0.3 respectively</em><em>. Plasma reactor acts as primery treatment in the direct mitigation of NO_x into neutral and non-poisonous molecules of O₂ and N₂</em>.