Corona Discharge Plasma Reactor Design for Volatile Organic Compound Abatement in Chemical Industry Exhaust

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from chemical industry exhaust streams contribute significantly to air pollution, photochemical smog formation, and adverse health effects, necessitating the development of efficient emission control technologies. This study investigates the design of a corona discharge plasma reactor for effective volatile organic compound abatement in chemical industry exhaust systems. The proposed reactor integrates non-thermal plasma technology with optimized electrical and fluid dynamic configurations to enhance pollutant degradation efficiency under varying industrial operating conditions. A comprehensive experimental and numerical analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of discharge voltage, electrode geometry, gas flow rate, residence time, plasma power density, and reactor configuration on VOC removal performance and energy efficiency. The corona discharge process generates highly reactive species, including radicals and ions, capable of decomposing complex organic pollutants into less harmful compounds through oxidation and fragmentation reactions. Results demonstrated significant improvements in VOC degradation efficiency and reduced pollutant concentration under optimized plasma operating conditions. The study further revealed that electrode arrangement and gas flow uniformity play critical roles in improving plasma distribution, enhancing reaction kinetics, and minimizing energy losses within the reactor system. Comparative analysis indicated superior treatment performance and faster pollutant decomposition compared to conventional thermal and adsorption-based VOC control methods. Additionally, the optimized plasma reactor exhibited stable operation, reduced secondary waste generation, and improved adaptability for continuous industrial exhaust treatment applications.