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This paper presents the results of experiments in which various parameters were varied systematically in an attempt to understand how the reactor design affects the energy efficiency for plasma processing of NOX. These parameters include the packing material, electrode diameter, and voltage frequency. It is shown that the applied voltage is not the relevant parameter when comparing the performance of different plasma reactors. The important control parameter is the input energy density. In accordance with the observations reported by Penetrante et al. [Applied Physics Letters 68, 3719-3721 (1996)], we have found that reactor design has little influence on the basic energy consumption of the plasma. Consequently, different reactor designs should yield basically the same plasma chemistry if the experiments are performed under identical gas composition and temperature conditions.

The Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies supports research to enable high-efficiency diesel engines to meet future emissions regulations, thus clearing the way for their use in light trucks as well as continuing as the most efficient powerplant for freight-haulers. Compliance with Tier 2 rules and expected heavy duty engine standards will require effective exhaust emission controls (aftertreatment) for diesels in these applications. DOE laboratories are working with industry to improve emission control technologies in projects ranging from application of new diagnostics for elucidating key mechanisms, to development and tests of prototype devices. This paper provides an overview of these R&D efforts, with examples of key findings and developments.