Nitric oxide decomposition in air by using nonthermal plasma processing with additives and catalyst

Catalyst (copper-coated zeolite catalyst, i.e., Cu-ZSM-5) was used to enhance NO/sub x/ removal plasma chemical reactions. Two kinds of hydrocarbons (2-propane-1-ol, 2-propanol) were added to the synthesized flue gas before the nonthermal plasma process, and their effects on NO/sub x/ removal characteristics were investigated. Enhancement effects of NO/sub x/ removal by the nonthermal plasma process with hydrocarbons as the additives were confirmed. Usually, the catalyst's working temperature is much higher than the room temperature. A catalytic reactor was installed after the plasma reactor. Catalytic effects on NO/sub x/ removal characteristics disappeared when the synthesized flue gas temperature was increased (/spl sim/250/spl deg/C). When the synthesized flue gas temperature was at room temperature, about 90% NO/sub x/ removal efficiency was realized with a combination of hydrocarbons, the catalytic reactor, and the pulsed discharge plasma.