The removal of acetone and benzene series (BTEX) under individual and concurrent conditions is carried out in a coaxial nonthermal plasma (NTP) reactor. The results show that the benzene series has a significant negative impact on acetone conversion and CO₂ selectivity under NTP treatment. Furthermore, it is found that p-xylene significantly promotes COx selectivity under co-treatment with acetone because of greater CO generation. Based on the results of transient FTIR, MS, and GC-MS, it is seen that quantities of formic acid, formaldehyde, and ring-opening byproducts from benzene series decomposition are reduced, while quantities of aromatic byproducts with carboxyl, phenolic, and aldehyde groups on the benzene ring increase under coexistence conditions. With the help of theoretical calculation and kinetic analysis, hydrogen abstraction from the methyl group and active hydroxyl radical consumption are proposed as critical factors in the BTEX inhibition effect on acetone degradation.
Keywords: BTEX; acetone; byproducts; methyl group; non-thermal plasma.