Plasma-assisted chemical process for NOx control

Plasma-assisted chemical processes have been investigated for the control of NOx flue gas emissions. Previous results have shown that nonthermal plasma is able to oxidize NO to NO2, but cannot convert NO2 to N-2 effectively. Rather, part of the NO2 is converted to form N2O and HNO3 (or NO3-). Several hydrocarbon additives, catalysts, and water film combined with the nonthermal plasma process have been investigated to enhance NOx reduction, but NOx reduction has been limited to the 70% range. As an alternative technology, the plasma-assisted chemical process was developed: plasma reactor to convert NO to NO2, and the chemical reduction process to convert NO2 to N-2, With minimum byproducts. The barrier dielectric packed-bed reactor followed by the chemical reactor was able to achieve nearly 100% NOx decomposition with an extremely low power level(14 W/ft(3)/min, 30 J/L, or 40 eV/molecule) and minimum N2O formation. The power consumption becomes 30 J/L, 14 W/ft(3)/min, or 40 eV, which amounts to $299/t of NO, and the operating cost for the chemical reactor is $1448/t, The total cost is $1747/t, which is at feast 20 times more economical compared to the conventional NOx control technologies.