Bipolar pulsed electrical discharge for decomposition of organic compounds in water

This work focuses on the development of an underwater plasma source that may open new possibilities in wastewater treatment processes by enabling the operation of the discharge under relatively low discharge voltages (sub-kV region). For this purpose, two systems, based on a wire-to-wire electrode configuration: (i) with and (ii) without gas bubbling, were designed. Both systems were operated utilizing a high-frequency bipolar DC pulse power supply. Properties of generated plasma were investigated by electrical and optical emission spectroscopy methods. Subsequently, determination of generation of active species and preliminary tests on the decomposition of organic dye in aqueous solution were carried out. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.