Wide-range two-dimensional imaging of NO density profiles by LIF technique in a corona radical shower Reactor

Planar laser-induced fluorescence was employed during the process of NO/sub x/ removal in a corona radical shower system. Using the wide-range imaging (image size: 240 mm in width and 160 mm in height), two-dimensional distributions of ground-state NO could be observed not only in the discharge zone but also both in the downstream and the upstream regions of the reactor. The obtained results showed that the density of NO molecules decreased not only in the plasma region formed by the corona streamers and the downstream region of the reactor but also in the upstream region of the reactor. The effect of the gas injection through the nozzles electrode on the NO profile in the reactor was negligible. The NO removal rate was almost the same for both cases with and without the injection gas once the streamer discharge was produced. In the present reactor at low main gas flow rate, it was considered that electrohydrodynamic flow became to be dominant, and the flow toward the upstream affected the decrease of NO in the upstream region. This fact is important for optimizing the performance of the nonthermal plasma reactor.