Plasma-based N2 fixation into NOx

Subtitle:insights from modeling toward optimum yields and energy costs in a gliding arc plasmatron

Plasma technology provides a sustainable, fossil-free method for N2 fixation, i.e., the conversion of inert atmospheric N2 into valuable substances, such as NOx or ammonia. In this work, we present a novel gliding arc plasmatron at atmospheric pressure for NOx production at different N2/O2 gas feed ratios, offering a promising NOx yield of 1.5% with an energy cost of 3.6 MJ/mol NOx produced. To explain the underlying mechanisms, we present a chemical kinetics model, validated by experiments, which provides insight into the NOx formation pathways and into the ambivalent role of the vibrational kinetics. This allows us to pinpoint the factors limiting the yield and energy cost, which can help to further improve the process.

Publication year:2020

Keywords:A1 Journal article

BOF-keylabel:yes

BOF-publication weight:10

CSS-citation score:3

Authors from:Higher Education

Accessibility:Open