Cathodic Contact Glow Discharge Electrolysis for the Degradation of Liquid Ammonia Solutions

The application of 50 VDC cathodic contact glow discharge electrolysis for six hours in 1.0 mol/L KOH + 0.8, 0.4 and 0.08 g/L ammonia results in the removal of 66, 71 and 77% of ammonia, respectively, following pseudo first‐order kinetics at ca. 0.3 mol/kWh. The yields of dissolved NO2N and NO3N l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plasma processes and polymers 2015-01, Vol.12 (1), p.25-31
Main Authors: Allagui, Anis, Brazeau, Nicolas, Alawadhi, Hussain, Al-momani, Fares, Baranova, Elena A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonia
Charge
Contact
DC discharges
Degradation
Electrolysis
Free radicals
glow discharge
Glow discharges
Ionization
Nitrification
optical emission spectroscopy
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Summary:The application of 50 VDC cathodic contact glow discharge electrolysis for six hours in 1.0 mol/L KOH + 0.8, 0.4 and 0.08 g/L ammonia results in the removal of 66, 71 and 77% of ammonia, respectively, following pseudo first‐order kinetics at ca. 0.3 mol/kWh. The yields of dissolved NO2N and NO3N lie between 9 and 29% and are coupled with ammonia removal suggesting a nitrification process. Based on the near‐cathode UV–Vis emissions and ionization products of H2O and NH3 molecules, a mechanism is proposed along with the charge/energy transfer reactions between the plasma‐generated free radicals and ionic species. Joule heating and vaporization are also believed to physically remove ammonia. Above a critical terminal voltage between a small cathode and a large anode, the electrolyte breakdown leads to contact glow discharge electrolysis. The process degrades ammonia in part by nitrification thanks to the powerful generated oxidizing species (OH·, O·, etc.), at 12% per hour with 0.28 mol/kW h energy efficiency, and following pseudo first‐order kinetics.
ISSN:1612-8850
1612-8869
DOI:10.1002/ppap.201400049