Abstract

A DC-excited atmospheric pressure glow discharge in a multi-pin-to-plate electrode configuration is applied to the removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) in air. A removal fraction of up to 47% is obtained at an energy density of 35 J litre(-1) (air flow rate: 60 m(3) h(-1); residence time: 50 ms; TCE inlet concentration: 120 ppm; temperature: 298 K). The addition of TCE increases the discharge impedance and improves the uniformity of the current distribution in the direction of the gas flow. In the investigated inlet concentration range (0-160 ppm), no influence of the TCE admixture is observed on the corona-to-glow and glow-to-spark threshold currents. Experiments with other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) reveal that molecules containing a double carbon bond have the lowest energy requirement for decomposition.