Developing nanosecond pulsed plasma sources for organic pollutant removal from water*

The feasibility of a nanosecond pulsed plasma-based technology for degradation of organic pollutants such as Rhodamine-B (Rh-B) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water is evaluated in this study using strip line-like or cylindrical electrode configurations. Sliding discharges or dielectric barrier discharges are generated between the anode and cathode separated by various gases such as air or argon and powered by 200-300 ns, >15 kV pulses at 500 Hz. The Rh-B and/or PFOA decontamination yield were evaluated for multiple cycles of treatment for air or argon. Over 90% degradation of Rh-B was obtained after 9 cycles of treatment of the sliding discharge operated at 0.12 J per pulse or an average power of 60 W using ambient air as the working gas. The impact of the voltage, working gas, and initial concentration of the organic pollutants on the degradation rate and energy efficiency are discussed. Effects of the electrode configurations on the types of the discharge and the resulted decontamination yield are also discussed.