Nitrogen oxide decomposition process

The process of decomposing nitrogen oxides which comprises contacting same in a dilute plasma with high surface area solids which do not undergo permanent reactions with the plasma components at space velocity of at least 500 reciprocal hours to form nitrogen from the major part of the nitrogen oxides.

The process of decomposing nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gases of internal combustion engines containing a small amount of same and a predominant amount of nitrogen which comprises applying energy to form a plasma therefrom in contact with a large area of solid surfaces at temperatures no greater than 1000.degree. C and decomposing said nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen.

The process of decomposing NO to nitrogen and oxygen which comprises applying energy to gas stream at ambient pressure to form a dilute plasma therefrom, the gas stream containing nitrogen, a small amount of NO, and no more than 5% by volume oxygen.

The process of decomposing nitrogen oxides which comprises passing a gaseous mixture containing a small amount of nitrogen oxides and a predominant amount of nitrogen through a narrow elongated discharge zone formed between electrodes connected to high voltage alternating current leads so as to establish a high voltage potential between the electrodes, the space between the electrodes containing substantial contact surface formed from particles of heterogeneous catalyst support solids which do not undergo irreversible reactions with the components of the gas, and forming a low temperature plasma in the gas and decomposing nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen.