Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor for the Removal of NOx From Automotive Exhaust

Abstract In this study, a self-made wire-cylinder dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor was used to remove NOx. The influence of electrical and gas parameters (e.g. structure, voltage, and frequency) and temperature on the NOx removal rate was studied systematically while operating the DBD reactor with a high-voltage positive–negative double pulse power supply. The experimental results showed that following conditions led to the optimal NO conversion rate and NOx removal rate: voltage of ±12 kV, pulse frequency up to 60 Hz, oxygen concentration at 6%, reaction temperature at 300°C, and C2H2:NOx ratio at 1.5. Under these conditions, the NO conversion rate and NOx removal rate reached the highest levels of 76.4% and 31.2%, respectively. Additionally, when the process was run in conjunction with a La0.7 Sr0.3 Ni0.5 Mn0.2 Fe0.3 O3 catalyst, the reactor efficiency increased markedly, and the NO conversion and NOx removal rates increased to 94.93% and 74.97%, respectively. The findings of this study demonstrate that DBD reactor technology shows promise for the removal of NOx from automotive waste streams.