Generation of Antimicrobial NO<Subscript>x</Subscript> by Atmospheric Air Transient Spark Discharge

Atmospheric pressure air plasma discharges generate potential antimicrobial agents, such as nitrogen oxides and ozone. Generation of nitrogen oxides was studied in a DC-driven self-pulsing (1–10 kHz) transient spark (TS) discharge. The precursors of NO_x production and the TS characteristics were studied by nanosecond time-resolved optical diagnostics: a photomultiplier module and a spectrometer coupled with fast intensified camera. Thanks to the short (~10–100 ns) high current (>1 A) spark current pulses, highly reactive non-equilibrium plasma is generated. Ozone was not detectable in the TS, probably due to higher gas temperature after the short spark current pulses, but the NO_x production rate of ~7 × 10¹⁶ molecules/J was achieved. The NO₂/NO ratio decreased with increasing TS repetition frequency, which is related to the complex frequency-dependent discharge properties and thus changing NO₂/NO generating mechanisms. Further optimization of NO₂ and NO production to improve the biomedical and antimicrobial effects is possible by modifying the electric circuit generating the TS discharge.     

Catalytic investigation of Fe-ZSM5 in the selective catalytic reduction of NOxwith NH3

Summary Fe-ZSM5 coated on a cordierite monolith was characterized and tested in the selective reduction of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) with ammonia. More than 70 % of the NO_xwere converted at T>350 °C if only NO was present in the feed. For equimolar amounts of NO and NO₂in the feed, NO_xconversions of over 90 % were reached for T = 200-450 °C. Hydrothermal ageing of Fe-ZSM5 resulted in a small loss in NO_xconversion and enhanced N₂O formation.     

Effectiveness of nitric oxide ozonation

Attempts to develop new technologies of NO _x (NO + NO₂) emission reduction are still carried out all around the world. One of the relatively new approaches is the application of ozone injection into the exhaust gas stream followed by the absorption process. Ozone is used to transform NO _x to higher nitrogen oxides which yield nitric acid with better effectiveness. The main objective of this paper was to study the influence of mole ratio (MR) O₃/NO used in the ozonation process of NO _x on the effectiveness of NO _x oxidation to higher oxides. The ozonation process was carried out in a flow reactor for concentrations of nitric oxide in the range of 1.5 × 10⁻⁵−7.7 × 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³ and varying O₃/NO mole ratios. Measurements were conducted with the use of a FTIR spectrometer. The results obtained prove that for MR higher than 1, the oxidation effectiveness of nitric oxides generally reaches 95 %, whereas for MR higher than 2, oxidation of NO _x to higher nitrogen oxides is completed.     

Hydrocarbon Assisted NO Oxidation with Non-thermal Plasma in Simulated Marine Diesel Exhaust Gases

The NO oxidation performance in a non-thermal plasma (NTP) reactor under realistic synthetic exhaust gas compositions is investigated. The gas compositions differ mainly in the NO–NO₂ ratio and represent different modes of operation of a marine diesel engine. It is found that the maximum NO oxidation efficiency is independent on the NO–NO₂ ratio. Up to 55 % of the NO is mainly oxidised to NO₂ in all gas mixtures being analysed. However, the specific energy density needed to reach the highest NO oxidation varies with the gas composition between 15 and 60 J/L. The performance of the NTP-reactor was significantly improved by the addition of propene (C₃H₆) acting as an additional oxidising agent. The energy consumption for NO–NO₂ conversion was found to be between 20 and 45 eV/NO, depending on the ratio of the added propene as well as the initial concentrations of nitrogen oxides.     

NO x Removal Characteristics in Plasma Plus Catalyst Hybrid Process

NO_x removal characteristics and NO conversion trends were investigated for plasma process, catalytic process, and plasma catalytic hybrid process. In the experiments, we studied effects of the flow rate and the carrier gas on the NO conversion in the plasma process, and effects of ammonia concentration and temperature on the NO_x removal in the catalytic process. We also investigated the synergetic effect of a plasma-catalytic hybrid process. Dielectric barrier discharge was combined with V₂O₅–WO₃/TiO₂ catalyst for removing nitrogen oxides. The maximum conversions of nitrogen oxides were approximately 52, 80, and 98% at the temperature of 100, 200, and 300°C, respectively. The optimal energy density, ammonia concentration, and ratio of nitrogen oxides exist for the highest removal of nitrogen oxides in the plasma catalytic hybrid process.     

Simultaneous Removal of Nitrogen Oxides and Particulate Matters from Diesel Engine Exhaust using Dielectric Barrier Discharge and Catalysis Hybrid System

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and catalysis hybrid process was used to remove nitrogen oxides and particulate matters from diesel engine exhaust. The DBD reactor converts a part of NO into NO₂, and then the exhaust gas containing the mixture of NO and NO₂ enters the catalytic reactor where both NO and NO₂ are reduced to N₂. The effect of energy density (power input divided by gas flow rate) and reaction temperature on the removal of nitrogen oxides was investigated with a stationary diesel engine. The hybrid process was able to remove about 80% of the initial nitrogen oxides at an energy density of 25 J/L and 150°C. The removal of particulate matters did not largely depend on the electrode structure, but it was a strong function of the energy density. On the basis of 80% removal efficiency, the energy yield for nitrogen oxides was 40 eV/molecule while that for particulate matters was 83 kJ/mg. The present study suggests that this kind of hybrid process can be applied to simultaneous removal of nitrogen oxides and particulate matters from diesel engine exhausts.     

Kinetics of nitric oxide oxidation

Nitrogen oxides are nowadays a subject of global concern. Several types of nitrogen oxides exist in the environment: N₂O, NO, NO₂, N₂O₃, N₂O₄, N₂O₅. The abbreviation NO _x usually relates to nitric oxide NO, nitrogen dioxide NO₂, and nitrous oxide N₂O. The first two are harmful pollutants for both environment and human health, whereas the third is one of the greenhouse gases. Implementation of stringent NO _x emission regulations requires the development of new NO _x removal technologies from exhaust gases. One of many proposals for NO _x emission reduction is the application of an oxidizing agent which would transform NO _x to higher nitrogen oxides with higher solubility in water. The main objective of the paper was to present the rate constant of nitric oxide oxidation, determined in our studies.     

Pilot-Scale Experiment for Simultaneous Dioxin and NO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript> Removal from Garbage Incinerator Emissions Using the Pulse Corona Induced Plasma Chemical Process

A pilot-scale pulse corona induced plasma chemical process (PPCP) reactor for controlling gas-phase dioxins and NO _x simultaneously is installed in a garbage incineration plant. The flow rate of the sampled flue gas is 5,000 Nm³/h (N: standard state) in maximum at the PPCP reactor, which consists of 22 wire-cylinder electrodes and is energized by a 50 kW nanosecond pulse high voltage generator. With an applied plasma energy density of 2.9–6.1 Wh/Nm³, the decomposition efficiency for dioxins is 75–84% based on TEQ (toxic equivalents); the conversion efficiency of NO to NO₂ is ~93% at maximum. The flue gas treated by the PPCP reactor is introduced at a rate of 50 Nm³/h to a wet-type chemical reactor, which uses an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃). More than 90% of NO _x is reduced to nitrogen, with negligible byproducts such as NO₂ ⁻ or NO₃ ⁻ ions left in the solution.     

Promotion of Non-thermal Plasma on Catalytic Reduction of NOx by C3H8 Over Co/BEA Catalyst at Low Temperature

The effects of non-thermal plasma on selective catalytic reduction of NO_x by C₃H₈ (C₃H₈-SCR) over Co/BEA catalyst were investigated over a wide range of reaction temperatures (473–773 K). The significant synergistic effect between non-thermal plasma and catalytic reduction by C₃H₈ was exhibited at low temperatures from 473 to 673 K. The synergetic effect diminished with increasing temperature. The NO_x removal efficiency of non-thermal plasma facilitated C₃H₈-SCR hybrid system increased significantly with the increase in NO₂/NO ratio from 0.13 to 1.06 when the specific input energy increased from 0 to 136 J L^?1. The oxidation performance of NO to NO₂ was significantly enhanced by C₃H₈ in the plasma reactor. Results of CO₂/CO ratio and CO₂ selectivity suggested that adding non-thermal plasma improved CO₂ selectivity of C₃H₈-SCR. 200 ppm SO₂ slightly inhibited NO_x conversion of the non-thermal plasma facilitated C₃H₈-SCR hybrid system at below 673 K, whereas it exhibited no obvious effect at over 673 K. Non-thermal plasma was more selective toward NO oxidation than SO₂ oxidation in the presence of C₃H₈. The non-thermal plasma facilitated C₃H₈-SCR hybrid system could be used stably in durability tests with several hundreds ppm of SO₂.     

Production of Reactive Oxygen Species and Application for NOx Control

Current gas ionization discharge techniques used in the removal of NOx from waste gases require large plasma sources, have high energy consumption, and may feature low NOx removal rates. We develop a system to generate reactive oxygen species through a strong ionization discharge, which is injected into a flow of simulated waste gas. The relative proportions and temperatures of input gases were controlled and the rate of consumption by reactive species was monitored. HNO₃ oxidization products of NOx were also collected and measured. The molar ratio of reactive oxygen species to NO was optimized to improve the rate of NOx removal. A input gas temperature of 58–60 °C was also found to be optimal. The O₂ volume fraction has almost no influence on NOx removal, while H₂O volume fractions above 6 %, gave rise to NOx removal rates of 97.2 %. The present study addresses disadvantages of current gas ionization discharge and requires no catalyst, reducing agent or oxidant.     

NOx-Sorbing Metal Oxides, MnOx–CeO2. Oxidative NO Adsorption and NOx–H2 Reaction

(n)MnO_x–(1?n)CeO₂ binary oxides have been studied for the sorptive NO removal and subsequent reduction of NO_x sorbed to N₂ at low temperatures (≤150 °C). The solid solution with a fluorite-type structure was found to be effective for oxidative NO adsorption, which yielded nitrate (NO^? ₃) and/or nitrite (NO^? ₂) species on the surface depending on temperature, O₂ concentration in the gas feed, and composition of the binary oxide (n). A surface reaction model was derived on the basis of XPS, TPD, and DRIFTS analyses. Redox of Mn accompanied by simultaneous oxygen equilibration between the surface and the gas phase promoted the oxidative NO adsorption. The reactivity of the adsorbed NO_x toward H₂ was examined for MnO_x–CeO₂ impregnated with Pd, which is known as a nonselective catalyst toward NO–H₂ reaction in the presence of excess oxygen. The Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ catalyst after saturated by the NO uptake could be regenerated by micropulse injections of H₂ at 150 °C. Evidence was presented to show that the role of Pd is to generate reactive hydrogen atoms, which spillover onto the MnO_x–CeO₂ surface and reduce nitrite/nitrate adsorbing thereon. Because of the lower reducibility of nitrate and the competitive H₂–O₂ combustion, H₂–NO reaction was suppressed to a certain extent in the presence of O₂. Nevertheless, Pd/MnO_x–CeO₂ attained 65% NO-conversion in a steady stream of 0.08% NO, 2% H₂, and 6% O₂ in He at as low as 150 °C, compared to ca. 30% conversion for Pd/γ–Al₂O₃ at the same temperature. The combination of NO_x-sorbing materials and H₂-activation catalysts is expected to pave the way to development of novel NO_x-sorbing catalysts for selective deNO_x at very low temperatures.     

Dealumination and characterization of chabazite for catalytic application

Dealumination of the small-pore zeolite chabazite (CHA) was performed with ammonium hexafluorosilicate under solid and liquid-state conditions to increase the Si-to-Al ratio from 2.0 to 6.0. In the solid state, the mesopore fraction increased with repeating hydrothermal synthesis at 423 K, which was confirmed by nitrogen adsorption?Cdesorption. In the liquid state, the formation of mesopores decreased substantially and the resulting CHA had an Si-to-Al ratio of ca. 5. The result of desorption of NO?CNO₂ from the Cu ion-exchanged dealuminated CHA in the solid state indicated that the presence of mesopores reduced NO?CNO₂ adsorption and desorption of NO₂ occurred at 383 and 683 K whereas for the high-silica analog SSZ-13 desorption of NO₂ occurred mostly at 473 and at 673 K.     

Gaseous Nitrogen Oxides Catholyte for Rechargeable Redox Flow Batteries

There is a strong interest in finding highly soluble redox compounds to improve the energy density of redox flow batteries (RFBs). However, the performance of electrolytes is often negatively influenced by high solute concentration. Herein, we designed a high-potential (0.5 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺) catholyte for RFBs, where the charged and discharged species are both gaseous nitrogen oxides (NO_x). These species can be liberated from the liquid electrolyte and stored in a separate gas container, allowing scale-up of storage capacity without increasing the concentration and volume of the electrolyte. The oxidation of NO in the presence of NO₃⁻ affords N₂O₃, and the reduction of N₂O₃ regenerates NO and NO₃⁻, together affording the electrochemical reaction: NO₃⁻+3 NO⇌2 N₂O₃+e⁻ with a low mass/charge ratio of 152 grams per mole of stored electron. A proof-of-concept NO_x symmetric H-cell shows 200 stable cycles over 400 hours with >97 % Coulombic efficiency and negligible capacity decay.     

Reduction of nitric oxide to elemental nitrogen byThiobacillus Denitrificans

A need exists for new technology for the disposal of concentrated NO_x streams obtained from certain regenerable, dry scrubbing processes, such as the NOXSO process, and the removal and disposal of NO_x from more dilute gas streams produced by nitric acid plants. It has been demonstrated that the facultative anaerobe and autotroph, Thiobacillus denitrificans, may be cultured anaerobically in batch reactors using NO (g) as a terminal electron acceptor. Thiosulfate served as an energy source, CO₂ (g) as a carbon source, and ammonium ion as a source of reduced nitrogen. The growth of T.denitrificans was indicated by depletion of thiosulfate and ammonium ion and the accumulation of biomass. The feed gas consisted of 5000 ppmv NO, 5%, CO₂, and balance nitrogen. The NO concentration in the outlet gas was typically 200 ppmv.     

Removal of Model Pollutants in Aqueous Solution by Gliding Arc Discharge: Determination of Removal Mechanisms. Part I: Experimental Study

The respective roles of short and long-life oxidant species in the degradation of model organic pollutants in water have been investigated in a gas–liquid gliding arc plasma reactor. Three different model pollutants were treated in two configurations: direct discharge mode and spatial post discharge mode. In each case the pollutants were classified according to their ease of removal, from easier to more difficult to remove. The results were as follows: phenol >> 1-heptanol >> pCBA. The removal mechanisms also are different depending on the characteristics of the pollutant treated. Phenol (100 % of phenol was removed for energy density = 1.20 × 10⁵ J/L) was supposed to react strongly with NO₂° radicals produced by the dissociation of N₂O₄ in liquid phase. The degradation of 1-heptanol would proceed by desorption of the liquid phase to the gas phase, where oxidation occurs due to the plasma active short-lived species. In the case of pCBA, oxidation occurs in the liquid solution, but the degradation is low because of its low reactivity with species such as ozone and °NO₂ and insufficient production of OH° radicals in the solution.     

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.     

Removal of NOx by photocatalytic processes

The photocatalytic methods for nitrogen oxides removal were recently very intense areas of scientific research. Photo-deNO_x processes offer interesting ways for abatement of these harmful gases. This review describes several methods for removing NO by photocatalytic reactions. These methods can be classified into three major groups: photo selective catalytic reduction (photo-SCR), photo-oxidation and photo-decomposition. The application of photocatalysts and photo-processes for NO_x abatement in real-scale cases are presented. The fast-growing development of these methods is revealed by the large number of issued patents in photo-deNO_x applications. The mechanism of NO creation and the traditional methods (primary and secondary) of NO_x removal are summarized and discussed. A cooperative system that combines the traditional (thermal) process and a photo-process is then proposed for improving NO_x removal efficiency.     

Photocatalytic removal of nitrogen oxides from air on TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> modified with bases and platinum

The efficiency of TiO₂ (Degussa P-25) modified with an alkaline admixture (urea, BaO), sulfuric acid, or platinum in the photocatalytic oxidation of NO (50 ppm) with a flowing 7% O₂ + N₂ mixture under UV irradiation in a flow reactor at room temperature and atmospheric pressure is reported. Because of the progressive blocking of active sites of the photocatalyst by the reaction products (NO₂, NO₃⁻), it is impossible to realize prolonged continuous removal of NO _x (NO + NO₂) from air without catalyst regeneration at elevated temperatures. The efficiency of the photocatalysts is characterized by specific photoadsorption capacity (SPC) calculated from the total amount of NO _x adsorbed during 2-h-long irradiation. Modification of TiO₂ with 5% BaO or 5% urea raises the SPC of the catalyst by a factor of 2–3. Presumably, this promoting effect is due to the basic properties of these dopants, which readily sorb NO₂ and NO₃⁻. A considerable favorable effect on SPC is also attained by adding 0.5% Pt to (5% BaO)/TiO₂. The SPC of the (0.5% Pt)/TiO₂ catalyst depends on the state of the platinum. The samples calcined in air at 500°C, which contain Pt⁺ and Pt²⁺, have an approximately 2 times higher SPC than unpromoted TiO₂ and ensure a much larger NO₂/NO ratio at the reactor outlet. Conversely, the samples reduced in an H₂ atmosphere at 200°C, whose platinum is in the Pt0 state, show a lower SPC than the initial TiO₂ and cause no significant change in the NO₂/NO ratio.     

Effects of NO2, CO,O2, and SO2 on oxidation kinetics of NO over Pt‐WO3/TiO2 catalyst for fast selective catalytic reduction process

The selective catalytic reduction rate of NO with N‐containing reducing agents can be enhanced considerably by converting a part of NO into NO₂. The enhanced reaction rate is more pronounced at lower temperatures by using an equimolar mixture of NO and NO₂. The kinetics of NO oxidation over Pt‐WO₃/TiO₂ catalyst has been determined in a fixed‐bed reactor with different concentrations of oxygen, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide in the presence of 8% water. It has been found that the reaction is second order with respect to nitric oxide, first order for oxygen with a third‐order rate constant. Also, it is found that there is no effect on the reaction order with an addition of NO₂, CO, or SO₂. It follows the same second order but the reaction rate is found to be changed. It is observed that in the case of NO₂ and SO₂, the reaction rate tends to decrease, but it increases with the addition of CO into the feed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 613–620, 2006     

Potentiometric NOx sensor based on stabilized zirconia and NiCr2O4 sensing electrode operating at high temperatures

The two types of electrochemical sensors using stabilized zirconia and the oxide sensing electrode (SE) were developed for NO_x detection at high temperatures. For the mixed-potential-type sensor, NiCr₂O₄ was found to give fairly excellent NO_x sensing characteristics in air among several spinel-type oxides tested. This NO_x sensor provided a linear correlation between EMF and the logarithm of NO or NO₂ concentration in the range 25–436 ppm and in the temperature range 550–650°C. With fixed bias voltage being applied between the SE (oxide) and the counter (Pt) electrode (CE), the EMF between SE and the reference (Pt) electrode (RE) was measured as a sensing signal. The NiCr₂O₄-attached tubular device was found to provide selective response to NO over NO₂ if SE was polarized at +175 mV versus RE. It was also found that this device gave selective response to NO₂ over NO, if SE was polarized at −250 mV versus CE. The new design of the planar device was proposed to avoid the cross-sensitivities to the others gases usually coexisting in car exhausts.