DECOMPOSITION OF HIGHER ORGANIC COMPOUND IN AN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE NON-EQUILIBRIUM PLASMA

Previously, in trying to prepare perovskite type oxide powders by microwave heating, we found out a non-equilibrium argon plasma is generated around the powders and discharge continues stable at atmospheric pressure. In this study, we tried the plasma decomposition of heat-stable higher organic compound such as palmitic acid which is the principal constituent of the fimger fats. It was proved that suitable amount of coexistence of oxygen radicals into the argon flow accelerates the decomposition of palmitic acid. The argon-oxygen mixed gas plasma was able to perform a complete elimination of higher organic compound.