Decomposition of Sodium Acetate by Pulsed Discharge in Water Droplet Spray

The characteristics and the effects of oxygen on the decomposition of sodium acetate have been investigated by pulsed discharge in water droplet spray in O₂ and N₂ used as carrier gases in the reactor. Two experimental conditions of gas mixing ratios of O₂/N₂ = 10/90 and O₂/N₂ = 50/50 were performed to evaluate the effect of oxygen. In both conditions, acetate was decomposed by pulsed discharge in water droplet spray, and formate and the other products were detected as intermediate products. Formate was gradually decomposed with increased treatment time. Acetate decomposition rates after 10 h treatment in the gas mixing ratios of O₂/N₂ = 10/90 and O₂/N₂ = 50/50 were 39% and 80%, respectively, and TOC decomposition rates were 48% and 78%, respectively. It was found that it is possible to decompose sodium acetate. These results indicate that organic compounds which have a carbon-carbon single bond can be completely decomposed by this technology. Decomposition efficiencies in the gas mixing ratios of O₂/N₂ = 10/90 and O₂/N₂ = 50/50 were 43 μg/kJ and 97 μg/kJ, respectively. Decomposition efficiency in the gas mixing ratio of O₂/N₂ = 50/50 is about 2.2 times higher than that of the gas mixing ratio of O₂/N₂ = 10/90 . These obtained results show that oxygen plays important roles in enhancing the decomposition of organic compounds.