Batch-wise nitrogen fixation from atmospheric air for on-farm fertilizer production using a 10 kW microwave induction-coupled plasma (MICP) torch

IF 7.3 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Cleaner Engineering and Technology Pub Date : 2026-08-01 Epub Date: 2026-07-18 DOI:10.1016/j.clet.2026.101277

Cesar M. Moreira, Pratap Pullammanappallil, Bruce Welt

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Abstract

This study investigates a novel method for synthesizing nitric acid (HNO₃) from air using a 10-kW microwave induction-coupled plasma torch. The experimental setup integrated a plasma torch, gas residence columns (oxidizing columns), and water absorption columns containing 60 L of water. Therefore, various torch operation durations (i.e., 30, 60, 90, and 300 min) and gas replenishment intervals were evaluated. Notably, the reaction rate decreased significantly when the oxygen concentration in the oxidizing columns dropped below 6%, rendering continuous torch operation inefficient. Importantly, after the torch was deactivated, HNO₃ formation persisted, highlighting the importance of absorbing residual NOx in the liquid phase. The highest yield was achieved by operating the torch for 60 min, followed by 30 min of gas recirculation and replenishment, resulting in a maximum HNO₃ concentration of 0.162 M and an energy consumption of 6.82 MJ per mole.

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使用10 kW微波感应耦合等离子体（MICP）火炬从大气中批量固定氮，用于农场肥料生产

研究了一种利用10kw微波感应耦合等离子体火炬从空气中合成硝酸的新方法。实验装置集成了等离子炬、气体驻留柱（氧化柱）和含有60 L水的吸水柱。因此，评估了各种火炬操作持续时间（即30、60、90和300 分钟）和气体补充间隔。值得注意的是，当氧化塔内氧浓度低于6%时，反应速率明显下降，连续火炬操作效率低下。重要的是，在火炬停用后，HNO3的形成仍在继续，这凸显了吸收液相中残余NOx的重要性。当火炬运行60 min时，收率最高，其次是30 min的气体再循环和补充，HNO3浓度最大为0.162 M，能耗为6.82 MJ / mol。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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