Effective reduction of N₂O emission via combined plasma catalysis

N₂O is a potent greenhouse gas that also causes devastating effects on the ozone layer. In this study, N₂O decomposition is evaluated via thermal catalysis, plasma-alone and plasma catalysis, respectively. In thermal catalysis, N₂O decomposition achieved over γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst is maintained at nearly 100% when operated at a temperature above 600 °C. In plasma-alone, the effects of various operating parameters were tested. As for plasma catalysis, N₂O conversion can be maintained above 90% with the operating parameters controlled as applied voltage =12–22 kV, [N₂O] =300 ppm and discharge gas = N₂. Overall, plasma catalysis has good potential for N₂O decomposition.