Special type of plasma dielectric barrier discharge reactor for direct ozonization of water and degradation of organic pollution

A system based on the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) with improved discharge homogeneity, used for direct ozonization and purification of water, is presented here. A special design of the atmospheric DBD system is characterized by incorporation of a porous ceramic segment in the zone between electrodes. This porous segment was placed on the metallic electrode and served as a guide for flowing water. Due to the hydrophilic force it allowed the water to remain undisturbed by the electrical discharge. This feature enabled a reduction of the discharge gap and subsequently an increase in the intensity, stability and homogeneity of the discharge. It was observed that under such a configuration a transition from the filamentary mode to the semi-homogeneous mode of the plasma discharge could be realized. Discharge properties were investigated by the optical emission spectroscopy method and the results showed the domination of nitrogen lines in the UV-A region. Further it was observed that the system can be operated in a wide range of liquid conductivities and under negligible heat deposition to the liquid solution. Finally, the formation of dissolved ozone and hydrogen peroxide in the deionized water was measured and decomposition tests with organic dye were performed.