Effects of Process Variables on NOx Conversion by Pulsed Corona Discharge Process

We investigated the effects of several process variables (initial concentrations of NO, NH₃, and H₂O and electron concentration) on NOx conversion by the pulsed corona discharge process (PCDP). In the PCDP, most of the NO is converted into NO₂ and, later, into HNO₃ which reacts with NH₃ to form NH₄NO₃ particles. We solved the model equations of chemical species in the PCDP considering 23 chemical species and 54 chemical reactions. As the initial NO concentration increases or electron concentration decreases, it takes a longer reactor length to remove the NO_x by the PCDP. As the initial H₂O, it takes a shorter reactor length to remove the NO_x. As the initial NO and H₂O and electron concentration decreases, or as the initial NH3 concentration increases, it takes a longer reactor length to consume the NH₃ by the particle formation reactions. The information on the effects of several process variables on the plasma chemistry in NO_x conversion can be the basis guideline to develop a more efficient PCDP and this study can be extended to obtain the information on particle characteristics of ammonium salts.