REDUCTION OF NITROGEN-OXIDES FROM POSTCOMBUSTION GASES UTILIZING MOLECULAR RADICAL SPECIES

Plasma induced radicals from ammonia, methane and hydrogen have been injected into NO laden post-combustion gases to reduce pollutant concentrations. Results of chemical kinetics modelling indicate that radicals from ammonia, which are formed by interaction with an argon plasma stream, introduced into the post-combustion gases, will provide nearly complete NO removal. Laboratory investigations have shown that molecular radical reduction is capable of providing up to 94 mol% NO reduction. Streams of ammonia or combined ammonia/methane, which provide this reduction, utilize a minimum input energy and yield no substantial ammonia discharge.