The degradation of aqueous phenol solutions by pulsed positive corona discharges

The Advanced Oxidation Process pulsed corona discharges have been utilized for the degradation of phenol in aqueous solution. The pulsed positive coro na discharges are struck in the ambient gas phase over the solution. Experi ments have been performed using both an air and argon atmosphere. Phenol co nversion and the production of major oxidation products in the solution hav e been determined, using ion-exclusion chromatography with UV absorbance an d conductivity detectors in series. The corona pulse energy has been measur ed from voltage and current waveforms using capacitive current correction. Oxidation products are polyhydroxybenzenes and carboxylic acids. Even thoug h phenol conversion efficiencies by pulsed positive corona discharges in ai r and argon are similar, the degradation pathways are different.