Control of nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and ammonia emissions using microwave plasmas
The subject of this paper is mitigation of the undesirable side-effects of selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR): ammonia slip, residual NO(x), and N(2)O emissions. The use of microwave-plasma discharge within the flue gas was explored as a potential pollution-control method. The key issues addressed were: (1) N(2)O, NH(3), and NO removal efficiencies; and (2) sustaining a stable plasma at atmospheric, or close to atmospheric, pressure. In non-oxidizing atmospheres, removal efficiencies were always close to 100% for all species. In the presence of oxygen, however, appreciable amounts of nitric oxide and ammonia were formed. Methods leading to preventing these undesirable effects were examined. In a number of runs, stable plasma operation was attained at pressures close to atmospheric.
Wojtowicz
MA
Advanced Fuel Research, 87 Church Street, East Hartford, CT, USA.
Miknis
FP
Grimes
RW
Smith
WW
Serio
MA