Combustion By-Products Destruction by Arc Plasma

ABSTRACT The parameters affecting complete thermal decomposition of methane, and 1,1–dichloroethane in a dc argon plasma were investigated. The 1,1–dichloroethane was chosen as a representative reactant from chlorinated–compounds and chemical warfare agents. Theoretical studies were conducted using STANJAN thermochemical equilibrium solver–code on stoichiometric mixtures of methane–air and dichloroethane–air systems. In addition, the effect of 10% excess oxygen in the stoichiometric methane–air system was studied in order to understand the role of oxygen at a plasma condition. The results from these studies give valuable information in predicting the species concentrations and evaluating the quenching process. To conduct experimental investigations, a 10 kW laboratory scale dc plasma generator was built and operated to produce a stable argon plasma. The representative organic species: methane, and dichloroethane were included in the argon stream for decomposition in the plasma. The decomposition of the sp...