Gas-phase removal of acetaldehyde via packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge reactor

The effectiveness of applying packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge (PBDBD) technology for removing acetaldehyde from gas streams was investigated. Operating parameters examined in this study include applied voltage, oxygen content, and gas-flow rate. Experimental results indicate that the destruction efficiency of acetaldehyde predominantly depends on the applied voltage. Removal of 99% of acetaldehyde has been achieved for gas streams containing 1000 ppmv acetaldehyde, 5% oxygen, with nitrogen as the carrier gas. The oxygen content in the gas stream plays an important role in removing acetaldehyde within PBDBD. A higher CH3CHO removal efficiency is achieved for the gas stream containing less oxygen, since it will dissipate energy due to its electronegative property. Carbon dioxide is the major end product which is less hazardous to the environment and to human health. However, undesirable products, e.g., NO2 and N2O CH3OC2H5, CH3COOH, CH3NO2, HCN, CH3NO3, and CH3OH, are detected as well.