Electron beam and pulsed corona processing of carbon tetrachloride in atmospheric pressure gas streams

• Published in: Physics letters. A 1995-12, Vol.209 (1), p.69-77
• Main Authors: Penetrante, B.M., Hsiao, M.C., Bardsley, J.N., Merritt, B.T., Vogtlin, G.E., Wallman, P.H., Kuthi, A., Burkhart, C.P., Bayless, J.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0375-9601; 1873-2429
• DOI: 10.1016/0375-9601(95)00789-4

Experimental results are presented on electron beam and pulsed corona processing of atmospheric-pressure gas streams containing dilute concentrations of carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4). Electron beam processing is remarkably more energy efficient than pulsed corona processing in decomposing CCl 4. The specific energy consumption in each reactor is consistent with dissociative electron attachment as the dominant decomposition pathway. The energy efficiency of the plasma process is insensitive to the gas temperature, at least up to 300°C. By doing the experiments using both dry air and N 2, the contribution of O radicals in the decomposition of CCl 4 is assessed. A discussion of the chemical kinetics starting from the initial decomposition of CCl 4 to the formation of products is presented.