Characteristics of Pulse Corona Discharges for Dissociation of NOx

Abstract

Systems reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) gas by using the pulsed corona discharge have been studied on the removal effciency depending upon reactor types. Two reactors, wire-plate and wire-cylinder type reactors, have same electrode gap spacing and same residence time of the sample gas. The removable effciency has been analyzed in terms of pulse peak voltage in the corona discharge and electron energy. Applied electric power and emission spectrum of the nitrogen molecular were measured in order to deduce the average electron energy. Change of chemical reaction in the discharge area has also been observed due to variation of pulse shape and the reactor geometry. From these, the effect of electrode on the characteristics of the pulsed corona and the energy efficiency for NOx removal has been investigated. Wire-cylinder type reactor seems to be more efficient by 85 percent more for removal NOx from the flue gas in the pulsed corona discharge systems with the following conditions: power = 2 watts, applied voltage = 14 kilo-volts, gas flow rate = 31 lpm.