Plasma assisted nitrogen oxide production from air: Using pulsed powered gliding arc reactor for a containerized plant

The production of NO x from air and air + O 2 is investigated in a pulsed powered milli‐scale gliding arc (GA) reactor, aiming at a containerized process for fertilizer production. Influence of feed mixture, flow rate, temperature, and Ar and O 2 content are investigated at varying specific energy input. The findings are correlated with high‐speed imaging of the GA dynamics. An O 2 content of 40–48% was optimum, with an enhancement of 11% in NO x production. Addition of Ar and preheating of the feed resulted in lower NO x production. Lower flow rates produced higher NO x concentrations due to longer residence time in the GA. The volume covered by GA depends strongly on the gas flow rate, emphasizing that the gas flow rate has a major impact on the GA dynamics and the reaction kinetics. For 0.5 L/min, 1.4 vol % of NO x concentration was realized, which is promising for a containerized process plant to produce fertilizer in remote locations. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J , 64: 526–537, 2018