Investigation of operating parameters on CO2 splitting by dielectric barrier discharge plasma

Experiments of CO_2 splitting by dielectric barrier discharge（DBD） plasma were carried out, and the influence of CO_2 flow rate, plasma power, discharge voltage, discharge frequency on CO_2 conversion and process energy efficiency were investigated. It was shown that the absolute quantity of CO_2 decomposed was only proportional to the amount of conductive electrons across the discharge gap,and the electron amount was proportional to the discharge power; the energy efficiency of CO_2 conversion was almost a constant at a lower level, which was limited by CO_2 inherent discharge character that determined a constant gap electric field strength. This was the main reason why CO_2 conversion rate decreased as the CO_2 flow rate increase and process energy efficiency was decreased a little as applied frequency increased. Therefore, one can improve the CO_2 conversion by less feed flow rate or larger discharge power in DBD plasma, but the energy efficiency is difficult to improve.

A Novel TiO_2 Combined Pulsed Diaphragm Discharge System for Phenol Degradation

A synergistic photocatalysis combined pulsed diaphragm discharge（PDD）system with TiO_2 nanofilm deposited on the surface of quartz diaphragm is developed for the first time for phenol degradation in an aqueous solution.It is observed that the decomposition efficiency of phenol in the TiO_2 combined PDD system is higher than that of the single PDD system under the same conditions,indicating a successful collaboration between the photocatalysis and the plasma decomposition in the present system.Analysis of the solution＇s pH value confirms this collaboration and further reveals that the photocatalytic enhancement effect of phenol degradation is strong at a relatively low supplied voltage.The present TiO_2 combined PDD system exhibits improved efficiencies of pollutant degradation and energy utilization,suggesting a good candidate for wastewater treatment.