Degradation of EDTA complex using underwater multi-hole plasma

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a complexing agent that is being used in medicine, food, water treatment, and decommissioning of a nuclear power plant. EDTA is a chelating agent that can bind to metal ions and remove them from wastewater, and bind to radioactive isotopes, which may be present in nuclear power plant wastewater streams due to the operation and maintenance of the plant. EDTA contaminated with radioactive isotopes can be released into the environment through wastewater discharge or improper disposal. In this paper, we designed an underwater multi-hole plasma system and optimized it according to gas flow rate and input power. Furthermore, the degradation of EDTA and Cu-EDTA by an underwater DBD plasma system was analyzed using UV-vis spectroscopy.