Removal efficiency of Rhodamine B dye by atmospheric plasma

The inefficient treatment of industrial water with organic contaminants is a worldwide problem. The study of treatment alternatives for this water continues to be of great interest. A study of degradation and mineralization process were carried out of the Rhodamine B (RhB) dye in water, applying an atmospheric plasma; the RhB is a pollutant identify in the effluents of the textile industry. Aqueous solutions of the RhB dye were treated at an initial concentration of 1.0 mM, in a volume of 250 mL, using iron filing (Fe2+) as a catalyst. The absorption spectra in the UV/Vis range, total organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand were monitoring. In addition, the physicochemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity, emission of CO2 and temperature were measured, and concentrations of nitrates and nitrites were determined. The results show a process efficiency greater than 90% in 45 minutes of exposure to plasma. The approximate electrical cost of 1 m3 of aqueous solution of the RhB dye treated with plasma would be of a few dollars.