Effect of porosity of α-alumina on non-thermal plasma decomposition of ethylene in a dielectric-packed bed reactor

초록

The performances of the porous and nonporous alpha-alumina (alpha-Al2O3) for the decomposition of ethylene in a dielectric-packed bed plasma reactor were comparatively examined with respect to the decomposition efficiency and the formation of byproducts. The decomposition was mainly controlled by discharge power, oxygen content, and properties of the alumina, such as porosity and surface area. The addition of a small quantity of oxygen led to an increase in the generation of oxidative species which eventually increased the ethylene decomposition efficiency. In the presence of 5 % oxygen, ethylene at an initial concentration of 1,898 ppm was completely oxidized into CO or CO2 when using the porous alpha-alumina. On the other hand, the nonporous alpha-alumina resulted in an incomplete oxidation, producing several carbon-containing byproducts other than CO and CO2. Moreover, with the other conditions kept constant, the decomposition efficiency obtained with the porous alpha-alumina was higher than that with the nonporous one, suggesting the adsorption capability of the packing material plays an important role in the decomposition process.

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