Date of Award

Summer 8-15-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS Physics

Department

Physics

Advisor

Jose Lopez, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Jun Ouyang, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Setrak Tanielyan, Ph.D.

Keywords

ozone, low-temperature plasma, odor removal, ozonizers

Abstract

Ozone (O3) is gaining popularity for its use in industrial and environmental applications, including water treatment, air purification, disinfection, and odor remediation. As a powerful oxidizing agent, ozone is highly effective in destroying harmful bacteria and degrading hazardous gas pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors are widely used for commercial ozone production under atmospheric-pressure conditions. However, ozone yield and selectivity are strongly influenced by operating parameters, particularly gas flow rate, which affects residence time, energy transfer, and competing byproduct chemistry.

This study explores the influence of the air flow rate on ozone generation, reactor byproduct formation, and H2S oxidation in a commercial air-fed DBD reactor. Reactor performance was characterized at multiple air-feed flow rates (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15 SLPM) using ozone concentration measurements, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and electrical diagnostics. Peak ozone concentration was observed at 5 SLPM while maximum mass output occurred at 7.5 SLPM. Downstream introduction of H₂S reduced ozone output and showed oxidation product formation across all conditions, with the greatest relative depletion occurring at 10 SLPM rather than at the condition of peak ozone generation. These results shed light on the importance of the optimization of flow rate for varying applications in practical reactor systems.

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