Removal of p-xylene by a DBD-type plasma combined with catalyst

The removal efficiency of p-xylene from gas stream was experimentally investigated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor, which was combined with catalyst, MnO₂/Al₂O₃ pellets, in the discharging and the afterglow area, respectively. The CO₂ selectivity of the two kinds of structure was also discussed. The results showed that in both the situation, the synergetic removal efficiency of p-xylene by the DBD-catalyst hybrid system increased with increasing the discharge power and decreasing the initial p-xylene concentration, reached the maximal value when discharge gap width was fixed at 3 mm (when catalyst was combined in the discharging area) or 4 mm (when catalyst was combined in the afterglow area) and the humidity content in the gas stream was controlled at 1.6% by volume. But under all the treatment conditions mentioned above, the combination of DBD with catalyst located in the downstream could produce intenser synergetic effect on p-xylene removal and higher CO₂ selectivity.