Some hydrocarbon derivative compounds decomposition using the HV impulse discharges

Abstract This paper presents a method for reducing the hydrocarbons diluted in water. The investigations of decomposition of chloroform, n -hexane, and toluene have been undertaken and made successfully. In the experiments saturated solutions were used. The compound decomposition have been made by means of HV impulses applied to needle-plate electrodes in a reactor. The surges of a peak value of +80 kV were applied and their frequency of repetition was about 0.2 Hz. An analysis of the number of the compounds decomposed was carried out as a function of impulses. The very preliminary results of experiments along with the qualitative and quantitative analyses of compounds that were examined as a result of the HV impulses applied are presented. The initial tests were performed under normal air pressure, while the temperature was 21°C and the relative humidity was about 45%. The compounds contained in demineralised water have been reduced even down to almost 50%—chloroform. The effectiveness of the method employed for the decomposition of the hydrocarbon compounds tested was assessed by making a quantitative analysis with a gas chromatograph.