A comparison of carbon tetrachloride decomposition using spark and barrier discharges

The decomposition of CCl4 in air was investigated at atmospheric pressure in two discharges. Reactors used to generate electrical discharges were powered by the same electric power supply. In both reactors, nearly 90% conversion of CCl4 was obtained. All chlorine was in the form of Cl-2 in the process carried out in the barrier discharge, while in the spark discharge, COCl2 was formed. The conversion of CCl4 to COCl2 ranged from 2 to 12%. NO was formed in both discharges but the NO content in the gas leaving the reactors was 1.7-2.7% for the spark discharge and 0.045-0.06% for the barrier discharge. O-3 was produced only in the barrier discharge and its content ranged from 0.1 to 0.2%.