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
Received February 22, 2014,Revised June 17, 2014, Accepted , Available online February 10, 2015
Volume 27,2015,Pages 187-194
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,NOxwas suppressedwith 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.
