The use of electronegative additives as a means to improve current discharge efficiency in conversion of volatile organic compounds

The effect that introduction of electronegative additives to air containing toxic impurities has on the processes of conversion of these impurities in plasma are studied. Taking as an example the conversion of trichloroethylene (C$_2$HCl$_3$) in air by nanosecond pulsed corona discharges, we show that additions of carbon tetrachloride (CCl$_4$) to the model air mixture lead to both a decrease in discharge current and enhancement of the energy efficiency of conversion. Processes in the different zones of corona discharge are investigated.