Plasma catalysis: A solution for environmental problems

The combination of a nonthermal, atmospheric plasma with a catalyst is investigated as a means of destroying pollutants in waste gas streams. Using the examples of dichloromethane (DCM) and toluene in air streams, it is shown that the destruction of the pollutant can be increased whilst lowering the operating temperature, giving increasing energy efficiency. Unwanted by-products can also be reduced selectively by appropriate choice of catalyst and of the plasma–catalyst configuration. By studying the temperature dependence of plasma catalysis, some ideas can be obtained about the nature of the interaction between plasma and catalyst in the processing.