K. Svoboda et al., Chemistry and emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2, N2O) in combustion ofsolid fuels II. Heterogeneous reactions - N2O, CHEM PAP-CH, 54(2), 2000, pp. 118-130
Nitrous oxide (N2O) volume fractions in atmosphere increase at an estimated
rate 0.7-0.8 ppb per year. Potential anthropogenic sources of N2O include
fertilization, combustion, mobile (car) sources, and atmospheric transforma
tion of NOx to N2O. Combustion of solid fuels and waste at lower temperatur
es (750-900 degrees C) presents a significant source of N2O. During stages
of a coal particle combustion (pyrolysis-devolatilization and char combusti
on) both volatile N and char N are mainly transformed to N-2 + NO and partl
y to N2O. HCN was recognized as the main precursor of N2O in volatile combu
stion. Char-N conversion to N2O (through various mechanisms) is affected by
in seiu reduction of N2O by carbon surface and CO.
Temperature has the most important effect on N2O emissions. At temperatures
over 1000 degrees C the N2O emissions are negligible. Char and CaO are in
practical combustion systems the most effective catalysts for thermal decom
position of N2O.