Formaldehyde removal from gas streams by means of NaNO₂ dielectric barrier discharge plasma

Destruction of formaldehyde by means of NaNO₂ ferro-electric packed bed dielectric barrier discharge plasma in a coaxial cylindrical reactor was carried out at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The difference among four kinds of NaNO₂ ferro-electric reactors was compared in terms of specific energy density (SED), energy yield (EY), and HCHO decomposition. In addition, by-products during the decomposition of HCHO and destruction mechanism were also investigated. The removal efficiency of HCHO increased by means of NaNO₂ DBD plasma significantly and enhanced with increasing SED distinctly. More amount of NaNO₂ contributed to higher HCHO removal efficiency in the reactors. Reactor C had the highest HCHO removal efficiency among the reactors. As an important by-product, ozone concentration increased with higher SED. The possible main products in the outlet effluent were CO, CO₂ and H₂O.