Decomposition of toluene by dielectric barrier discharge comnbined with catalytic ozonation

Key words: 
• toluene /
• dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) /
• catalysis /
• ozonation

Abstract: Technology of dielectric barrier discharge（DBD）combined with MnOx/Al2O3/nickel foam in postplasma was used to remove toluene. Effects of gasfeeding way of toluene, ozone generating method as well as humidity on the simultaneous removal of toluene and ozone were investigated. It was found that ozone was the main species responsible for the catalytic decomposition of toluene in postplasma and high removal efficiencies of toluene and ozone could be realized simultaneously by DBD comnbined with catalytic ozonation. With input voltage of 9.0 kV, the toluene removal efficiency was up to 92.8% and that of ozone was above 99% within 80 min. Water vapor had no direct effect on the catalytic activity of catalyst towards ozone decomposition and humidity had little effect on the removal efficiency of toluene under higher ozone concentration. The results of GC-MS showed that main by-products in gaseous phase of toluene decomposition were alkanes, acids, ketones and ring-retaining organic compounds. Finally, the degradation way of toluene in this system was proposed.