Kinetics of 1,4-Dichlorobenzene Decomposition in an Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Oxygen

Abstract

The kinetics of decomposition of 1,4-dichlorobenzene vapor in an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge in oxygen has been studied. It has been found that the degree of decomposition decreased with the gas flow rate and initial concentration and increased with the discharge power. The apparent rate constants of degradation have been determined, and the energy efficiency of the process has been estimated. The maximum degree of decomposition reached 90%, and the energy yield of decomposition was 2.7 × 10^–3 molecules per 100 eV. The main gaseous products of the degradation were СО₂, Сl₂, carboxylic acids, and aldehydes. The degradation was accompanied by the formation of a polymer film on the reactor walls. Elemental analysis has shown that the film contains C (60 wt %), O (38%), and Cl (2.3%). The IR spectra show that the film contains fragments of carboxylic acids. A comparison of the experimental results with previously obtained data for 2,4-dichlorophenol has shown that the kinetic laws are similar for both of the compounds.