Role of energy input model on the remediation of the p-Nitrophenol contaminated over-wet soil by pulsed corona discharge plasma

Low-temperature plasma has exhibited high efficiency for fast remediation of organic-polluted soil with water content (less than 20%). In the present study, the feasibility of remediation of p-Nitrophenol (PNP) contaminated over-wet soil (water content of 100%) was studied using pulsed corona discharge plasma, which was generated in a needle-plate discharge reactor. Effect of energy input model, including pulse voltage and pulse frequency on PNP degradation, was studied. Experimental results showed that about 86.3% of PNP could be smoothly removed after 60 min discharge treatment. PNP degradation efficiency increased with an increase in pulse voltage or pulse frequency, due to the enhancement of energy input. Existence of water contributed to H2O2 generation and the amount of exhausted H2O2 increased with pulse voltage. This study is expected to provide an alternative method for remediation of contaminated soil containing much water by pulsed discharge plasma without drying pretreatment.