Sustainable Nitric Acid Production Using Non-thermal Plasma

Recipient Organization
Applied Science Products, Inc
924 Corridor Park Blvd
Knoxville,TN 37932

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a new process for fixing nitrogen from air in the form of nitric acid using non-thermal atmospheric plasma with a heterogeneous catalyst. Reductions in the cost of producing nitric acid (in comparison with existing state-of-the-art processes) will lead to the reintroduction of well-established and tested methods for producing fertilizers consisting of sodium, potassium or calcium nitrate using nitric acid as the nitrogen feedstock. This will by-pass the ammonia synthesis step in the production of nitrogen fertilizers while eliminating the costly dependence of nitrogen fertilizer on natural gas.

Animal Health Component

40%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

40%

Applied

40%

Developmental

20%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
133	5210	2000	40%
133	5210	2010	30%
133	5210	2020	30%

Knowledge Area
133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation;

Subject Of Investigation
5210 - Fertilizers;

Field Of Science
2010 - Physics; 2020 - Engineering; 2000 - Chemistry;

Keywords

nitrogen fertilizer

nitric acid synthesis

non-thermal plasma

plasma catalysis

Goals / Objectives
The objective of this Phase I SBIR project is to quantify the specific energy required to synthesize nitric acid from air using non-thermal plasma with an in-plasma catalyst. Specific questions that we expect to answer with this research program include the following: 1. What is the nominal specific energy cost of the proposed nitric acid synthesis process 2. What other products are formed and in what concentrations 3. How do the results vary as a function of plasma power, peak-to-peak voltage and frequency of the alternating current 4. What are the effects of temperature, humidity and flow rate on the exhaust compounds and their concentrations 5. What reactive species are formed by the plasma and what are their approximate half-lives 6. How does the use of an in-plasma catalyst effect the energy cost 7. What is the projected total specific energy cost in the production of nitric acid and how does it compare to the state-of-the-art process 8. Are there plasma gas by-products that will poison the catalyst Successful conclusion of the Phase I project will provide the data necessary to project the specific energy cost of the proposed nitric acid synthesis. We will build on previous research on plasma catalysis, but with a new focus on enhancing production of the nitric acid byproduct. Successful conclusion of the overall technology development will result in a new nitric acid production process that eliminates the ammonia synthesis step, thereby eliminating the dependence on natural gas feedstock.

Project Methods
We will use acid-base titration to measure the concentration of nitric acid in an aqueous solution formed by bubbling plasma reactive species through liquid water. We will use optical electron spectroscopy to characterize the plasma reactive species. The key innovation will be the introduction of catalysts in the plasma, which is expected to result in significant increase in the generation of reactive species and, consequently, nitric acid.

Progress 07/01/10 to 02/28/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The product of this SBIR Phase I project was a new process for synthesizing nitric acid. The project was presented to executives of The Chemical Company, a potential commercialization partner, at their headquarters in Jamestown, RI on February 24, 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Neal Fine, Chief Technology Officer of Applied Science Products, Inc. (ASP), served as Project Director. D. Steven J. Brickner, Chemist and Owner of SJ Brickner Consulting, LLC, acted as consultant on the project. He helped Dr. Fine develop test plans, review experimental results, and analyze/present data and conclusions. ASP partnered with the University of Connecticut Chemistry Department. Professor Steven Suib oversaw the experiments that were performed in his laboratories by Graduate Student, Mr. Saminda Dharmarathna. The experiments were also supported by Academic Assistant Dr. William Willis. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The project resulted in a change in knowledge related to the synthesis of nitric acid via plasma catalysis with air as a feedstock.

Publications

No publications reported this period