Use of an Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma to Treat the Exhaust of a 160 Hp Diesel Engine

We used a patented capillary plasma electrode (CPE) discharge in the exhaust of a 160 Hp Diesel engine to remove the gaseous contaminants in the hot exhaust gas (mainly unburned hydrocarbons, HCs). We found reductions in the total HCs of up to 70% and compound-specific reductions of more than 90% for complex aromatics. We also investigated the effect of the HC reduction in the gas phase on the condensed water and observed reductions of more than 50% of the total HC concentrations in the liquid phase. The possible impact of these findings for water harvesting applications will be discussed. Work supported by DARPA/DSO.