Plasma treating water for nitrate based nitrogen fertilizer - A review of recent device designs

Abstract

Atmospheric pressure air plasma treatment of water is a promising alternative to the industrially intensive Haber-Bosch process for the production of nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer is vital for plant life, and the environmental impacts of modern fertilizer application cannot be neglected. In order to maintain or increase food production in the future, more sustainable alternatives must be investigated. Plasma can be easily operated at smaller scales, onsite, utilizing green energy sources, cutting down transportation costs and impacts. This article focuses on nitrogen fixation by plasma treating water for use as nitrogen fertilizer. We highlight recent advances (within the last two years) regarding water treating plasma devices, the challenges still facing the field, and recommend more thorough collaborative investigations be carried out in order to focus on the design and optimization of these devices for the future.