Conceptual design and performance analysis of frequency-tuned capacitive discharge reactors

Scope and method of study. A frequency-tuned capacitive discharge system has been investigated from an engineering standpoint. The system was designed to run at about atmospheric pressure and at room temperature. Trichloroethylene (TCE) was used as the toxic agent to evaluate the potential of this system for the treatment of volatile organic compounds. Air was used as the carrier gas. Non-destructive and transformer open-circuit tests were conducted to examine the electrical characteristics of the system. Breakdown tests using capacitive discharge reactors were performed to explore design variable of the reactors. A breakdown model was developed to calculate breakdown voltage and frequency. Destructive tests on gaseous TCE examined the destruction efficiency for various discharge reactors. The power and dynamic models were used to evaluate the electrical performance of the reactors.;Findings and conclusions. The frequency-tuned capacitive discharge system proved to be a highly effective technique for the decomposition of TCE. The breakdown frequency is always below the resonance frequency of the transformer under no load conditions. The breakdown and power models make good predictions of gap breakdown and discharge current. A threshold power level exists for each reactor, below which there is a drastic decrease in conversion. TCE inhibits the formation of ozone but introduces higher discharge current. If a good match in the circuit is not achieved, more energy is consumed in the power amplifier. Combination of the breakdown and power models coupled to the kinetic and energy equations allows determination of the appropriate reactor geometry and operating conditions for a reactor with a given power transfer system.