NOX Treatment From Diesel Engine Exhaust Using Cascaded Electric Discharge-Based Nonthermal Plasma and Continuous Adsorption–Desorption

Recent advancements in nonthermal plasma (NTP) technology have opened up diverse applications, from wound healing to environmental pollution control, with a significant focus on vehicular exhaust treatment. The increasing need for efficient emission control systems, driven by stringent environmental regulations and rising ecological concerns, has highlighted the limitations of traditional methods, such as reduced efficiency and shorter lifespans over time. To address these challenges, integrating conventional techniques with NTP technology has shown promise in enhancing pollutant removal efficiency. Research indicates that a cascaded system integrating NTP reactors and adsorption processes exhibits superior performance compared to standalone methods. Additionally, NTP facilitates the efficient regeneration of saturated adsorbents, allowing for continuous operation. In experiments focused on the treatment of nitrogen oxides ( $\mathrm {NO_{X}}$ ), a cascaded plasma and adsorption–desorption process demonstrated stable performance over six cycles. Tests were performed at 19-kV and 50-Hz high-voltage ac under different load conditions with a 3-liter per minute (LPM) exhaust flow rate. These tests demonstrated a consistent pollutant removal efficiency maintained over an 18-min period. The findings highlight the capability of cascaded NTP-adsorbent systems to serve as sustainable solutions for emission control.