Metal Sulfates Enhanced Plasma Oxidization of Diesel Particulate Matter

The activities for nonthermal plasma-induced oxidation of diesel particulate matter (DPM) with various metal sulfates were investigated. It was found that the metal sulfates, MgSO4, K2SO4, and CaSO4 $\cdot$ 2H2O, enhanced the energy yield of DPM oxidation while other sulfates, Na2SO4, Fe2(SO4)3, and Al2(SO4) $\cdot$ 8H2O, did not affect the energy yield. The addition of water vapor caused a promotion of DPM oxidation regardless of a metal sulfate was presented. The effect of temperature and sulfate adding amount was also investigated. The metal sulfates enhanced DPM oxidation is possibly due to the adsorption of O atoms onto the sulfates. The positive effects of H2O might be thought of as due to the formation of reactive OH radicals and the promotion of the hydrolysis of the oxygen-containing compounds on DPM surface.