Toluene decomposition performance and NOx by-product formation during a DBD-catalyst process

Yufang Guo; Xiaobin Liao; Mingli Fu; Haibao Huang; Daiqi Ye

doi:10.1016/j.jes.2014.06.048

Toluene decomposition performance and NOx by-product formation during a DBD-catalyst process

J Environ Sci (China). 2015 Feb 1:28:187-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2014.06.048. Epub 2014 Dec 23.

Authors

Yufang Guo¹, Xiaobin Liao², Mingli Fu³, Haibao Huang³, Daiqi Ye²

Affiliations

¹ College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology (Sun Yat-sen University), Guangzhou 510275, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment and Pollution Control, Guangzhou 510006, China. Electronic address: yufanguo@hotmail.com.
² College of Environmental Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
³ College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.

PMID: 25662254
DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2014.06.048

Abstract

Characteristics of toluene decomposition and formation of nitrogen oxide (NOx) by-products were investigated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor with/without catalyst at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Four kinds of metal oxides, i.e., manganese oxide (MnOx), iron oxide (FeOx), cobalt oxide (CoOx) and copper oxide (CuO), supported on Al2O3/nickel foam, were used as catalysts. It was found that introducing catalysts could improve toluene removal efficiency, promote decomposition of by-product ozone and enhance CO2 selectivity. In addition, NOx was suppressed with the decrease of specific energy density (SED) and the increase of humidity, gas flow rate and toluene concentration, or catalyst introduction. Among the four kinds of catalysts, the CuO catalyst showed the best performance in NOx suppression. The MnOx catalyst exhibited the lowest concentration of O3 and highest CO2 selectivity but the highest concentration of NOx. A possible pathway for NOx production in DBD was discussed. The contributions of oxygen active species and hydroxyl radicals are dominant in NOx suppression.

Keywords: Catalyst; Dielectric barrier discharge; Nitrogen oxides; Toluene.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Movements
Catalysis
Electromagnetic Phenomena
Humidity
Metals, Heavy / chemistry*
Nitrogen Oxides / chemistry*
Oxidation-Reduction
Oxides / chemistry*
Toluene / chemistry*

Substances

Metals, Heavy
Nitrogen Oxides
Oxides
Toluene