Experimental investigation of styrene destruction in a non-thermal multi-arc plasma reactor with three pairs of electrodes

A novel alternating current non-thermal multi-arc plasma generator with three pairs of electrodes was developed for styrene degradation. The experimental results indicated that multiple arcs enhance the destruction of styrene in the reactor. Styrene is not only thermally decomposed but also oxidatively degraded in the multi-arc reactor. When the concentration of styrene is not higher than 1200 mg/m³, its removal rate can reach more than 90%. The major gaseous effluence products were CO and CO₂. The solid product carbon black was found to be attached to the reactor wall. The main intermediates of styrene decomposition are butanol, ethyl acetate and benzaldehyde. A multi-arc plasma generator equipped with three pairs of electrodes was employed for the degradation of styrene to enhance removal efficiency and energy yield. Analysis of products revealed that half of the carbon was converted into solid carbon black. The major gaseous products were CO and CO₂, accompanied by minor amounts of intermediate VOCs.