A study of cold plasma for water treatment

Abstract

This paper presents the results of using cold plasma for water treatment. Cold plasma is generated with the method of dielectric barrier discharges with voltage of 15 KV and frequency of 30 kHz. Total power of water treatment system is about 220 W. Water flow and air flow are 0,7 liter/minute and 12 liter/minute respectively. Experimental results show that cold plasma destroys or inactivates nearly all Coliforms and E.coli with only 1 or 2 times circulation through a plasma chamber of water. Besides, cold plasma can decompose Fenobucarb compound in pesticide-containing wastewater. However, the method of dielectric barrier discharges also create side-effects on water treatment such as an increase in electric conductivity, a reduction in pH and especially a very strong increase in concentration of NO2- and NO3-.