Decomposition of Trichloroethylene by Using a Non-Thermal Plasma Process Combined with Catalyst

저온 플라즈마·촉매 복합공정을 이용한 트리클로로에틸렌의 분해에 관한 연구

A non-thermal plasma process combined with $Cr_2O_3/TiO_2$ catalyst was applied to the decomposition of trichloroethylene (TCE). A dielectric barrier discharge reactor operated with AC high voltage was used as the non-thermal plasma reactor. The effects of reaction temperature and input power on the decomposition of TCE and the formation of byproducts including HCl, $Cl_2$, CO, NO, $NO_2$ and $O_3$ were examined. At an identical input power, the increase in the reaction temperature from 373 K to 473 K decreased the decomposition of TCE in the plasma reactor. The presence of the catalyst downstream the plasma reactor not only enhanced the decomposition of TCE but also affected the distribution of byproducts, significantly. However, synergistic effect as a result of the combination of non-thermal plasma with catalyst was not observed, i.e., the TCE decomposition efficiency in this plasma-catalyst combination system was almost similar to the sum of those obtained with each process.