Follow On: Optimising the performance and efficiency of non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma reactors for the destruction of pollutants in waste g

Completed

Not Energy Related
Energy Efficiency(Industry)

Basic and strategic applied research
Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)

Not Cross-cutting

Professor JC Whitehead
Chemistry
University of Manchester

Standard

EPSRC

01 October 2006

30 September 2007

12 months

£60,984

Plasma physics

North West

Engineering -- Process Environment and Sustainability

Professor JC Whitehead, Chemistry, University of Manchester

Project Contact, Plasma Clean Ltd

This project concerns the development and demonstration of the commercial feasibility of a novel, energy efficient technology for the destruction of hazardous pollutants (e.g. volatile organic compounds) in waste gas streams that is based on the use of atmospheric pressure, non-thermal plasma discharges. In particular, previously we have shown that a certain configuration of plasma reactors produces an unexpected and significant enhancement in destruction efficiency. In this project, we will investigate the origins of that effect in order to gain a fundamental understanding of the processes involved. In this way, we aim to optimise the design and configuration to produce effective destruction at an energy cost that is competitive with other remediation technologies. The expertise gained in the previous EPSRC project combining plasma discharges with catalysts will be valuable in optimising the process. The market drivers for the project will be informed by interactions with a University spin-out company, Plasma Clean Ltd, who may take on responsibility for the ultimate exploitation of the technology upon it meeting commercially viable performance targets

26/03/07