Effects of the N2 to O2 ratio in air on the removal rate and the degree of decomposition of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulphide by atmospheric plasma. Issue 6 (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Dingqiang; Peng, Yang; Gao, Xiangxiang; Hou, Zhongyu
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 9:Issue 6(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Chemical warfare agents -- Plasma chemistry -- Spectral diagnosis -- Removal rate -- Degree of decomposition; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106776
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: It is difficult to simultaneously satisfy all the essential requirements for the removal of chemical warfare agents from air through atmospheric air plasma chemistry. Such requirements include a high removal rate (RR) indicating the completeness of the transition into other substances and a high degree of decomposition (DD) indicating the toxicity of these substances. In this study, the N2 to O2 ratio (NOR) in air was adjusted to scrutinise the role of electrons and active oxidative particles in 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulphide removal. It was found that a high NOR led to a high RR, but a low DD. Spectral diagnosis was used to compare the electron temperature (Te ) of the plasma at different NORs. Plasma kinetics based on the calculation of the electron Boltzmann equation and product analysis were conducted. The results showed that the Te increased with increasing NORs, while the production rate of active oxidative particles tended to decrease at higher NORs. Thus, this study suggests that high-energy electrons may dominate the RR, while active oxidative particles may play a dominant role in enhancing the DD. The results may lead to a novel methodology that modifies the NORs to achieve both optimum RR and DD. Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: The removal rate (RR) and the degree of decomposition (DD) were both significantly affected, but inversely correlated with the NOR in the air. The high-energy electrons may dominate the RR, while the active oxidative heavy particles may dominate the DD. By matching a series of functional modules composed of different NORs in air, the maximum RR and DD can be achieved simultaneously.