DC Corona Electric Discharges for Air Pollution Control, 2—Ionic Intermediates and Mechanisms of Hydrocarbon Processing

A mechanistic study is reported on i ‐octane and hexane processing with +DC and −DC corona in air at room temperature and pressure. Current/voltage profiles are matched with the ion analysis data obtained by APCI mass spectrometry. With a −DC corona, the hydrocarbons do not modify the negative ion population with respect to uncontaminated air. In contrast, with a +DC corona many hydrocarbon‐derived positive ions form. O( 3 P) and • OH were also investigated using chemical probes (ozone formation and CO oxidation, respectively). The results, combined with efficiency and product data, suggest that with −DC corona radical initiation steps occur, whereas with +DC corona ionic reactions prevail. magnified image