Applications of cold plasma techniques for toxic VOCs destruction

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used in a number of industrial processes such as solvents, cleaners, liquid fuels, etc. Some of the VOCs, which are air toxin, go into the processed air. Release of the VOCs laden air into atmosphere is partly responsible for high ozone level and smog in troposphere, depletion of ozone layer in stratosphere, global warming and several health problems. Thermal incineration, catalytic incineration, activated carbon adsorption, etc. conventionally control the VOCs emissions. However, these techniques become expensive, less effective and technologically complicated for handing of dilute VOCs in air. Cold plasma techniques, which are being rapidly developed in last few years and have been proven to be effective, cheaper and simpler than the conventional VOCs abatement techniques, are reviewed. Information on recent developments in this area are also presented, which are directed to achieve thorough destruction of VOCs without the appearance of harmful by-products in the exhaust stream of the reactor and with the minimum input of energy. (author)