Kinetic modelling of NH3 production in N-2-H-2 non-equilibrium atmospheric-pressure plasma catalysis

Abstract

Detailed plasma kinetics modelling is presented of a low electron energy N2-H2 atmospheric-pressure discharge for ammonia synthesis. The model considers both electron and vibrational kinetics, including excited N2(X, ν) and H2(X, ν) species, and surface reactions such as those occurring by the Eley-Rideal and Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanisms and dissociative adsorption of molecules. The predictions of the model are compared to the measured NH3 concentration produced in a packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge reactor as a function of process parameters such as input gas composition and applied voltage. Unlike typical low-pressure plasma processes, under the plasma conditions considered here ..