Studies on electrical discharge effects in a foaming environment

A new apparatus called foaming column, which is potentially useful for polluted gas treatment, was constructed. Foam was created without addition of foaming agents, using only the kinetic energy of gas flow. During experiments, large quantities of gas and a small amount of pure water were required to generate foam between the main electrodes. Electrical discharge was obtained in the small foaming environment. Various oxidants such as ozone, OH radicals and hydrogen peroxide were generated as an effect of electrical discharge. Several kinds of electrode materials and electrode set-ups were tested. Using the needle-to-plate electrode which was made of stainless steel, higher concentrations were obtained for all oxidants.