N atoms can serve as a reducing agent for NO in the exhaust gases from fossil fuel power plants. In order to investigate the reduction of NO, synthetic exhaust gas was plasma treated in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) (direct treatment) as well as treated by adding nitrogen atoms generated in a pure nitrogen DBD (remote treatment). A DBD with a coaxial electrode geometry was used. Oxygen could be added to the synthetic exhaust. A complete NO reduction was achieved in dry, oxygen free exhaust gas with direct treatment, but oxygen and humidity in the exhaust gas promotes formation of NxOy and reduces the efficiency of NO reduction. A 90% NO reduction was achieved with remote treatment. Remote treatment is insensitive to oxygen in the exhaust, but requires large amounts of nitrogen and energy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy were employed in order to detect NO, NO2, and N2O in the treated exhaust gas stream. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.