Bacterial Decontamination of Water by Bipolar Pulsed Discharge in a Gas–Liquid–Solid Three-Phase Discharge Reactor

Inactivation of Escherichia coli by bipolar pulsed discharge in an air–liquid–solid three-phase discharge reactor has been investigated. The effect of several operating parameters on the inactivation efficiency has also been studied. Experimental results showed that bipolar pulsed discharge in the three-phase discharge plasma reactor had good performance in the inactivation of E. coli. Power intensity and gas flow rate had a positive effect on the inactivation, while the initial solution conductivity had little effect. An alkaline solution condition was favorable for the inactivation of E. coli in the reactor. In addition, possible mechanisms of the inactivation were also discussed.