Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing, Vol.20, No.4, 511-520, 2000
Synthesis of ammonia in a strong electric field discharge at ambient pressure
The plasma synthesis of ammonia has been studied in a nitrogen-hydrogen plasma using a strong electric field discharge at ambient pressure and temperature. With this method, N-2 and H-2 molecules ave ionized and dissociated and a large number of pec atoms, ions, and radicals are formed in a nonequilibrium plasma after inelastic collisions. The final product was mainly ammonia. including a small amount of hydrazine. When MgO powder, used as a catalyst, was smeared on the surface of the electrode plates, the yields of ammonia increased about 1.54-1.75 times and reached 5000 ppm (0.5%; v/v). In this way: plasma synthesis of ammonia at ambient pressure is realized and a new method is provided for inorganic synthesis, which consumes little energy and simplifies the process.
Keywords:ammonia synthesis;strong electric field discharge;nonequilibrium plasma;ambient pressure;MgO catalyst