Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Homogeneous nitrous oxide formation and destruction under combustion conditions

Journal Article · · AIChE Journal (American Institute of Chemical Engineers); (United States)
;  [1]
  1. Technical Univ. of Denmark, Lyngby (Denmark). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

N[sub 2]O decomposition and formation during the oxidation of NH[sub 3] and HCN were studied in a quartz flow reactor in the presence of CO, NO and other gases. The emphasis is on the influence of CO and NO. In addition, the homogeneous nitrogen chemistry of fluidized bed combustion and the selective noncatalytic reduction of NO (SNR) are discussed. The rate of N[sub 2]O decomposition in N[sub 2] agrees with a first-order rate expression. The presence of CO or H[sub 2] increases the decomposition rate regardless of the additional presence of O[sub 2]. For the formation of N[sub 2]O, HCN oxidation is more efficient than NH[sub 3] oxidation. The presence of NO increases the amount of N[sub 2]O formed during the oxidation of HCN or NH[sub 3]. CO moves the N[sub 2]O formation toward lower temperatures. H[sub 2]O increases the reaction rate where few components are present, whereas H[sub 2]O has little influence in the presence of large amounts of a combustible component such as CO. There are indications that NO is a necessary intermediate for any significant formation of N[sub 2]O during the oxidation of NH[sub 3] and HCN. NO reduction is obtained when NO is initially present during oxidation of both NH[sub 3] and HCN. These results are comparable to the respective SNR results with reductant ammonia and urea.

OSTI ID:
5908047
Journal Information:
AIChE Journal (American Institute of Chemical Engineers); (United States), Journal Name: AIChE Journal (American Institute of Chemical Engineers); (United States) Vol. 39:8; ISSN 0001-1541; ISSN AICEAC
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English