The Influence of Direct Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment on Soot Characteristics under Low Exhaust Gas Temperature

¹ Department of Power Engineering Technology, College of Industrial Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok., Thailand
² Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Research Team, National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency
³ Department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (Rayong Campus), Rayong, Thailand.
⁴ Research Centre for Combustion Technology and Alternative Energy (CTAE), Science and Technology Research Institute, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand
⁵ The Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering (TGGS), King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, 1518 Pracharat 1 Road, Wongsawang, Bangsue, Bangkok 10800, Thailand.

^* Corresponding author: kampanart.t@cit.kmutnb.ac.th

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of nonthermal plasma (NTP) technology utilizing a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor, both with and without exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), in reducing soot particles and their impact on nitrogen oxides (NOx). The experiment involved maintaining a constant flue gas flow rate of 10 l/min, employing high voltage values of 0, 6, and 10 kV, fixed frequency of 500 Hz and setting the various IMEP of 5, 6, and 7 bar and the engine speed at 2,000 rpm. The findings demonstrated that NTP was successful in removing NOx by approximately 16.84% and 17.01%, achieving particle matter (PM) removal efficiencies of around 60.79% and 81.13%, and effectively reducing activation energy by approximately 18.34% and 31.5% (with and without EGR, respectively) at a high voltage of 10 kV. These results highlight the potential of NTP technology in mitigating emissions and reducing the environmental impact associated with diesel engines.