Degradation of anionic surfactants using the reactor based on dielectric barrier discharge

Two anionic surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate - SDS and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate - SDBS) were treated with dielectric barrier discharge. Loss of surfactant activity, decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) as well as lower toxicity of degradation products was determined. Effects of catalysts - hydrogen peroxide and iron (II), on the above mentioned parameters, were determined. Catalysts affected the degradation of SDBS, but in the case of SDS, catalysts had no effect on degradation. Both catalysts induced the decrease of COD and TOC values. Toxicity of the solutions after the plasma treatment was lower in all the systems tested.