Removal of biomass tar model compound using reverse vortex flow gliding arc discharge

Removal of tar derived from biomass gasification using plasma discharge was of great interest. In this work, treatment of biomass tar using a high flow rate, reverse vortex flow gliding arc discharge (RVF-GA) was investigated. Naphthalene was used as a light tar model compound. Investigation was carried out at different inlet tar concentrations, total gas feed rates, and applied energy inputs. The naphthalene concentrations considered were low (approximate to 610 mg/m(3)), moderate (approximate to 4,330 mg/m(3)) and high concentration (approximate to 10,330 mg/m(3)). It was demonstrated that the RVF-GA reactor performed well in removal of tar at high flow rates. The removal efficiency in the range of 75-95%, the specific energy input in the range of 0.11-0.33 kWh/m(3) and the energy utilization in the range of 1.4-112 g/kWh could be achieved. The plasma assisted decomposition of naphthalene was found to increase with the applied electrical energyinput.