Aerosol plasma for aqueous waste treatment

Summary form only given. We describe 2-stage technology for degradation of aqueous wastes (containing organic pollutants), based on Aerosol Plasma Treatment combined with bio-treatment stage. Short pulsed corona/streamer discharge in aerosol with controlled applied voltage amplitude of 50-90 kV, pulse duration of 100-150 ns, and reprate of 10/sup 2-3/ Hz is organized inside a 40 liter reactor. The aerosol with drops diameter of 10-100 /spl mu/m is provided with a commercial atomizer. 2-3 fold pulsed E-field enhancement near the drops surface combined with large specific water/air surface (10/sup 2-3/ cm/sup 2//g) result in copious generation of energetic and hydrated electrons, active free radicals (O, H, OH), providing efficient degradation and partial dechlorination of the primary organic molecules of the pollutants.