Experimental Study on Microwave-Induced NO Decomposition on Activated Carbon Bed

The reduction of NO was successfully demonstrated in this paper to develop a NO removal process by microwave- induced decomposition method for combustion flue gas. The absorbent of the microwave energy used in this experiment was activated carbon. Simulated flue gas containing NO gas was passed through the activated carbon bed and microwave energy was then applied for decomposition of the NO. It was found that more than 96% of NO was decomposed to nitrogen (N₂) under the microwave irradiation. Activation energy of the thermal decomposition was lower than conventional decomposition and microwave could play a role of catalyst in the reaction. Therefore this method is surely expected to be useful for the prevention and reduction of air pollutants.