Aqueous phenol decomposition by pulsed discharge on water surface

Decomposition of environmental contaminants such as phenol containing in water was investigated using a pulsed high voltage gas phase discharge on the water surface. Discharge characteristics varied with varying electrode distance between needle tip and water surface, and composition of the surrounding gas. When the electrode distance was decreased, the discharge modes changed from corona to streamer, and then spark discharge in the case of very close to the water surface. The streamer discharge channels spread over the water surface. Argon gas was most effective to decompose phenol in water than the case using oxygen or air for the surrounding gas.