Energy cost improvement of the nitrogen oxides synthesis in a low pressure plasma

Nitrogen oxide is synthetized from a N2-35 % O2 mixture flowing (22 Nl/h) through a microwave discharge. The total pressure is equal to 50 torr. The optimal value of energy consumption, equal to 28 MJ/kg NO, is obtained with catalyst such as MoO3. Results are improved by 53 % in comparison with the industrial process used at present, and by 78 % in comparison with those obtained with a plasma jet arc generator.