Nylon production: An unknown source of atmospheric nitrous oxide

Journal Article · Fri Feb 22 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.251.4996.932· OSTI ID:5607593

Thiemens, M H; Trogler, W C ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla (United States)

Nitrous oxide in the earth's atmosphere contributes to catalytic stratospheric ozone destruction and is also a greenhouse gas component. A precise budgetary accounting of N{sub 2}O sources has remained elusive, and there is an apparent lack of source identification. One source of N{sub 2}O is as a by-product in the manufacture of nylon, specifically in the preparation of adipic acid. Characterization of the reaction N{sub 2}O stoichiometry and its isotopic composition with a simulated industrial adipic acid synthesis indicates that because of high rates of global adipic acid production, this N{sub 2}O may account for {approximately}10% of the increase observed for atmospheric N{sub 2}O.

• OSTI ID: 5607593
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 251:4996; ISSN SCIEA; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AIR POLLUTION
BY-PRODUCTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY
MATERIALS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NITROUS OXIDE
NYLON
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION SOURCES
POLYAMIDES
POLYMERS
STOICHIOMETRY
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS