Catalyst-free removal of NO_xfrom combustion exhausts using intense pulsed electron beams

摘要

A process and apparatus for removing NOx from exhaust gases produced by combustion-based energy sources. An array of high voltage pulsed electron beams are repetitively generated and transported through a thin foil into the exhaust gas containing NOx. The electron beam deposits its energy into the gas and produces reactive radicals N2+, N+, e, N2 from the NOx in the gas. These radicals recombine through chemical reactions to produce benign by-products nitrogen N2 and oxygen O2 which are output into the atmosphere.

主权项

1. A process for catalyst-free removal of NOx from combustion exhaust, comprising:
irradiating a combustion exhaust containing NOx with a pulsed electron beam from a pulsed electron beam source as the combustion exhaust travels through a reaction chamber to form a scrubbed exhaust, the combustion exhaust being free from ammonia or any other added catalyst, wherein the pulsed electron beam is turned on for about 100 to about 300 ns to deposit its energy into the combustion exhaust and then is turned off for about 50 to about 200 msec, the energy from the pulsed electron beam causing the NOx to dissociate into reactive radicals N2+, N+, e, and N2 during a period when the pulsed electron beam is turned on, the reactive radicals N2+, N+, e, and N2 combining to form neutral nitrogen N2 and O2 by the reactions N2*→2N, N2±+e→2N, N++e→N, N+NO→N2+O, and O→O2 during the period when the electron beam is turned off, the reactions proceeding without any catalyst being added to the exhaust, and the reactions producing only the N2 and O2 and not producing any other by-products; and releasing the N2 and the O2 as the scrubbed exhaust into the atmosphere.