The mass transfer and energy efficiency in the "batch" and "Circulating" gliding arc configuration reactors for the direct discharges and degradation of pollutants in the aqueous solution have been investigated. The mass transfer characterization and energy efficiency in this study showed that the "Batch" configuration would be more efficient than the "Circulating" reactor. The difference between these reactors is due to the plasma (gas)-solution (liquid) contact time, therefore the gas-liquid transfer phenomenon. The lowest value of pH (2.5) and high temperature obtained in the "Batch" reactor contributes to better nitrogen oxides (NOx) transfer and solubility consequently the high conversion of the phenol in this reactor configuration (100% after 10 min of treatment) relative to that obtained in the circulating reactor (approximate to 50% after 30 min) with pH 4.7.