The effect of power on the degradation of propranolol by nonthermal plasma reactor

Propranolol (PRO) is a beta-blocker that is readily detected in surface water and hospital wastewater. This pharmaceutical poses a danger for aquatic animals because it is commonly prescribed for heart diseases and anxiety issues. Advanced oxidation processes are commonly tested for the decomposition of pharmaceuticals because they produce various reactive species at room conditions. A liquid-falling film dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor was used for the treatment of a PRO solution, with no catalysts added. A coaxial construction, accompanied by a peristaltic pump, enables the recirculation of the treated liquid. Ambient air was selected as a feed-gas for nonthermal plasma generation under three levels of power dissipated in plasma. Direct contact of liquid film with plasma in this coaxial reactor enables the efficient transfer of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated in plasma to the liquid phase. The degradation rate of PRO, pH value, and conductivity were monitored after every cycle of treatment of PRO solution (100 mg/dm3), and in the presence of scavengers (t-butanol and p-benzoquinone). The PRO concentration was monitored by HPLC-DAD, at 213 nm. As expected, the highest applied power (60 W) contributed to the highest degradation rate (100%). At the same time, in these extreme conditions, pH values dropped from 6 to 2.5 and conductivity increased from 20 µS/cm to almost 1450 µS/cm in the tenth cycle of plasma treatment. Moreover, a high power yielded an excessive decontamination level, but also in the grand production of nitric acid. On the other hand, lower values of power lead to less successful endpoints, over 85% and less than 60% of degraded PRO when 35 W and 15 W were applied, respectively. Accordingly, under these conditions, the total production of ions was less intensive. The maximum conductivity value was less than 500 µS/cm for PRO treated with plasma generated by 35 W of power, and under 130 µS/cm for 15 W. To elude the exact role