An experimental study of NOx removal treatment on multiple photochemical reaction with Vacuum-Ultra-Violet light irradiation

In this work, in order to investigate the NO removal based on a photochemical reaction, an application of Vacuum-Ultra-Violet (VUV) light irradiation from a xenon (Xe) discharge lamp to Diesel combustion exhaust gas treatments was experimentally conducted. Because N-O and NO-O binding energies (150 kcal/mol and 74 kcal/mol) were lower than the photon energy of 172 nm in wavelength, the VUV irradiation is corresponding to 165 kcal/mol in photon energy; the NO molecule was decomposed to N atom and O atom as a following under condition of the photon energy. The VUV irradiation intensity was decreased to 1% or less atmospheric condition by the photon traveling length of 20 mm. The processed molecules were NO removal and NO₂ byproduct. The removal of NO₂ byproduct was characterized by multiple irradiation of VUV light. The NO₂ byproduct as the oxidizing reaction of NO was increased in and around area where the VUV light was irradiated.