On the destruction of volatile organic compounds using a dielectric pellet bed reactor

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are known to be dangerous for human health. If they are part of a precursor gas mixture undesired effects in e.g. industrial processes may occur. Therefore, the destruction of unwanted VOCs in a gas stream is an important aim. For that purpose a five stage planar dielectric barrier discharge reactor working at atmospheric pressure has been developed and tested. Each stage consists of two parallel stainless steel meshes serving as electrodes. The space between them is filled with dielectric beads. The ac voltage applied to the electrodes is in the kV and kHz range and several gas flow rates are possible. The gases of interest have been measured using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) combined with a 32.5m long path cell. First result showed, that the VOC ethylene (C2H4) can be removed.