Fundamental Limits on Gas-Phase Chemical Reduction of NOx in a Plasma

Abstract

This paper examines the gas-phase chemical reduction of NOx. It is shown that under the best conditions, the plasma can chemically reduce 1.6 grams of NOx per brake-horsepower-hour when 5% of the engine output energy is delivered to the plasma. This NOx reduction efficiency is a fundamental limit that cannot be exceeded in the absence of heterogeneous reactions or chemical additives. Higher NOx removal efficiencies would suggest reactions of plasma oxidation products (such as NO2 or nitric acid) on surfaces or particulates.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA363410

Entities

People

  • B. M. Penetrante
  • B. T. Merritt
  • G. E. Vogtlin
  • M. C. Hsiao

Organizations

  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acids
  • Barometric Pressure
  • Chemistry
  • Collisions
  • Efficiency
  • Electric Fields
  • Electric Power
  • Energy Consumption
  • Exhaust Gases
  • Ground State
  • Horsepower
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Nitric Acid
  • Nitrogen
  • Nitrogen Compounds
  • Oxidation
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.