Improvement of NO removal rate by plasma reaction and Taylor cones in corona discharge reactor

The authors have developed a new type of corona discharge reactor combining plasma reaction with Taylor cones formed on the water surface, which improve the removal rate of NO in flue gas. A multi-needle to plate discharge geometry was used in this reactor. When the plate electrode covered with water film is energized by high voltage, a multitude of Taylor cones form and collapse randomly and continuously. The tips of the cones provide points for electrical discharge, which initiate active special generation. Experimental results showed that the combination of corona discharge plasma with Taylor cones is very effective method in NO removal, because NO was effectively oxidized to HNO₃ by plasma reaction and absorbed in the water. A very high removal efficiency of up to 80% was achieved with dc high voltage.