Electrochemical reduction of nitrate in the presence of an amide

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

OSTI ID:874658

Dziewinski, Jacek J ^[1]; Marczak, Stanislaw ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

The electrochemical reduction of nitrates in aqueous solutions thereof in the presence of amides to gaseous nitrogen (N.sub.2) is described. Generally, electrochemical reduction of NO.sub.3 proceeds stepwise, from NO.sub.3 to N.sub.2, and subsequently in several consecutive steps to ammonia (NH.sub.3) as a final product. Addition of at least one amide to the solution being electrolyzed suppresses ammonia generation, since suitable amides react with NO.sub.2 to generate N.sub.2. This permits nitrate reduction to gaseous nitrogen to proceed by electrolysis. Suitable amides include urea, sulfamic acid, formamide, and acetamide.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: The Regents of the University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 6436275
• OSTI ID: 874658
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

electrochemical
reduction
nitrate
presence
amide
nitrates
aqueous
solutions
amides
gaseous
nitrogen
nsub2
described
nosub3
proceeds
stepwise
subsequently
consecutive
steps
ammonia
nhsub3
final
product
addition
solution
electrolyzed
suppresses
generation
react
nosub2
generate
permits
proceed
electrolysis
urea
sulfamic
acid
formamide
acetamide
aqueous solution
gaseous nitrogen
chemical reduction
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