Effects of ethylene on NO conversion and product distributions in an rf discharge reactor

In the previous study, high concentration of NO in N2/O2 mixtures could be converted mainly into N2 via a radio-frequency discharge approach at a low pressure (4 kPa). To enhance the efficiency of NO removal, C2H4 was added to elevate significantly the NO conversion in this study. The results showed that at inlet C2H4/NO molar ratio of 1 and 120 W in the C2H4/NO (1%)/O2 (6%)/N2 mixtures, the NO conversion reached 93.7% with a C2H4 conversion of 100%, to much higher than without C2H4 condition (NO conversion = 77.6%). Moreover, as high as 99.8% of the fraction of total N atoms converted from NO into N2 was achieved. In addition, the relationship between the major active species observed in the optical emission spectra at different inlet C2H4 concentration and the important reactions for NO removal and N2 formation were discussed.