Abstract

A detailed investigation on the activation of materials like adsorbent and catalyst by electrical discharge
plasma is carried out. This property has been used for the treatment of diesel engine exhaust. For the purpose of
investigation, several configurations are used. The results are discussed and a comprehensive comparison of all
the techniques has been made. The effectiveness of the technique with regard to pollutants control and byproduct
reduction is discussed. A high NOx removal efficiency is achieved when double step electrical discharge plasma
activates red mud catalyst and double step electrical discharge plasma activates MS13X adsorbent. In double
step electrical discharge plasma activated catalyst technique, the red mud catalyst was operated without any
additional HC or ammonia at 400°C, whereas the double step electrical discharge plasma activated adsorbent
technique was operated at low temperature (<200°C).