Simultaneous ammonium nitrate decomposition and NOx emission reduction in a novel configuration of membrane reactor: A simulation study

In thermal decomposition process, ammonium nitrate decomposition takes place in fluidized bed reactor (FR) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), as an undesirable product is produced in high temperatures. In this study, two novel configurations named membrane fluidized bed reactor (MFR) and free air membrane fluidized bed reactor (AMFR) is proposed to reduce NOx emission. Models predictions are validated by experimental data presented by Bhowmick et al. The results show 16% and 7% decrease in NOx concentration in AMFR and MFR respectively, compared with FR. Reduction of NOx emission and enhancement of ammonium nitrate conversion, demonstrate superiority of AMFR to previous configurations.