Nylon production: An unknown source of atmospheric nitrous oxide

Journal Article · Fri Feb 22 00:00:00 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), Vol. 251:4996; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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