Reduction of NO/sub x/ from natural gas combustion flue gases by corona discharge radical injection techniques [thermal power plant emissions control]

An experimental investigation has been conducted to reduce NO/sub x/ in natural gas combustion flue gases by means of corona-discharge-activated ammonia/methane radical injection methods. Multihole-type corona radical injectors are used in the present investigation. Experiments were conducted for the simulated natural gas combustion flue gas (N/sub 2/:O/sub 2/:CO/sub 2/:NO=83.96:8:8:0.04) flow rate from 1 to 200 L/min, the activation voltage (DC or pulse) from 0 to 40 kV, and the Ar-ammonia or Ar-methane mixture gases flow rate from 0 to 200 mL/min. The results show that the NO/sub x/ reduction increases with increasing activation voltage and nonmonotonically depends on ammonia/methane stoichiometry.