Oxidative decomposition of adsorbed toluene using ozone concentrated by nonthermal plasma flow

The toluene decomposition is carried out using an adsorbent and the nonthermal plasma (NTP) induced radical flow system that consists of a surface discharge and circulation flow. The liquid toluene is vaporized in the circulation channel connected with a blower and the surface discharge plasma reactor in series, and the toluene gas is adsorbed by the adsorbent. In order to accelerate the oxidative decomposition of adsorbed toluene, two techniques are tested: One is the concentrated ozone injection that the adsorbed toluene is decomposed using the NTP flow after introducing the ozone concentrated in advance through the bypass channel connected in parallel with the adsorbent. The other is the toluene decomposition under reduced pressure that the pressure of adsorbent chamber is reduced during the decomposition process because accelerating toluene decomposition on the surface of the adsorbent can be expected. The pressure of the adsorbent chamber is reduced from −3 to −7 kPa by regulating the ball valve located upstream of the adsorbent chamber. When the concentrated ozone is introduced into the circulation channel, the adsorbent temperature increases drastically and the conversion ratio of toluene to CO x (CO and CO 2 ) is improved. The effect of reduced pressure on the toluene decomposition does not appear under this experimental condition.