Operational Characteristics and Energy Efficiency Assessment of a GlidArc Plasma Reactor for NOx Synthesis

This paper presents the results of studies on the synthesis of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in a three-phase GlidArc plasma reactor operating at atmospheric pressure. The objective was to determine the influence of electrical power and gas flow rate on NOx concentration, process productivity, and energy efficiency. The analysis was performed over a wide range of power levels and air flow rates, using global energy efficiency (GEE), specific energy consumption (E), and specific energy input (SEI) as evaluation metrics. The results demonstrate that discharge intensification initially leads to an increase in NOx concentration; however, at higher power levels a deterioration of energy efficiency is observed due to increasing thermal losses and partial destruction of nitrogen oxides. Gas flow rate was also found to play a significant role by determining the gas residence time in the plasma zone and the degree of reactant conversion. Based on the analysis of the median GEE and E maps, a recommended operating window for the reactor was identified, within which high energy efficiency and high NOx productivity are simultaneously achieved. The obtained results provide a basis for further optimization and scaling of GlidArc technology in the context of decentralized nitrogen compound production.