Utilizing non-thermal plasma technology for coolant contaminant removal: An efficiency and dielectric properties investigation

Abstract

This study evaluates the efficacy of non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology in treating industrial coolant-contaminated water by assessing its impact on contaminant removal efficiency and dielectric properties. Industrial coolant, primarily composed of ethylene glycol ( CH <inf>2</inf> OHCH <inf>2</inf> OH ), poses significant environmental challenges due to its toxicity and persistence in water systems. The plasma treatment was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, varying flow rates and treatment durations to optimize its performance. Changes in dielectric properties, including dielectric constant and loss factor, were monitored as key indicators of water quality. Untreated contaminated water exhibited a dielectric constant of 57.69 ± 0.33 at 200 MHz, which is significantly lower than that of RO water (78.86 ± 0.61), reflecting high impurity levels. Following plasma treatment, the dielectric constant increased to 77.46 ± 0.27, closely aligning with pure RO water, while the dielectric loss factor improved from 0.82 ± 0.32 to 2.07 ± 0.26, indicating effective breakdown of contaminants. These findings demonstrate the potential of NTP as a sustainable, chemical-free solution for industrial water treatment, reducing energy consumption and promoting environmental safety.