Exploring the Synergy Between Flow Dynamics and VOC Conversion in Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharges

ORAL

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose a significant risk to the environment and human health, and their energy-efficient removal remains a challenge. Surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) systems have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional methods for VOC degradation. In this study, we introduce novel multi-electrode SDBD reactors designed to analyze induced flow field structures and their influence on conversion efficiency. Our findings reveal a correlation between induced flow dynamics and plasma-driven gas conversion, linking plasma actuator research with chemical plasma gas conversion.

The n-butane conversion was monitored with flame ionization detectors alongside planar particle image velocimetry to study the induced fluid dynamics. By varying the gap distance between SDBD plates, we identified localized peaks in relative conversion, indicating spatially dependent effects. The flow field analysis reveals distinct vortex structures forming on both SDBD sides, which change in size and shape as the gap distance increases. Further examination of vorticity and turbulent kinetic energy provides deeper insights into these vortex structures, highlighting the important role of fluid dynamics by enhanced gas mixing in the gas conversion process.

*This research is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under projects A7 & A5 of the Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1316 (No. 327886311), "Transient atmospheric pressure plasmas - from plasmas to liquids to solids".

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Publication: A. Böddecker et al., "The role of flow field dynamics in enhancing volatile organic compound conversion in a surface dielectric barrier discharge system," Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, vol. 58, no. 2. IOP Publishing, p. 025208, Oct. 24, 2024. doi: 10.1088/1361-6463/ad8454

A. Böddecker, "Optimisation and scaling of a surface dielectric barrier discharge system for volatile organic compound conversion," Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 2025. doi: 10.13154/294-12838.

Presenters

  • Alexander Böddecker

    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany

Authors

  • Alexander Böddecker

    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany

  • Maximilian Passmann

    • Chair of Hydraulic Fluid Machinery, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

  • Angie Natalia Torres Segura

    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany

  • Arisa Bodnar

    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

  • Felix Awakowicz

    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

  • Timothy Oppotsch

    • Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

  • Martin Muhler

    • Laboratory of Industrial Chemistry (LTC), Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

  • Peter Awakowicz

    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

  • Andrew R Gibson

    • University of York
    • York Plasma Institute, School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York
    • York Plasma Institute, School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, University of York, United Kingdom
    • Ruhr University Bochum

  • Ihor Korolov

    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany

  • Thomas Mussenbrock

    • Chair of Applied Electrodynamics and Plasma Technology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany