Controlling mechanism in the aqueous absorption of nitrogen oxides

Abstract

AbstractThe reactions involved in the removal of nitrogen oxides from gases by reaction with water are reversible and proceed at a finite rate. It is possible therefore that the over‐all process is controlled by the rate of the chemical reactions. On this basis an analysis of the process has been developed by the application of chemical kinetics, with consideration of reactions involving both nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide. The resulting differential equation has been simplified and integrated to give a final equation which can be tested experimentally.Theoretical methods are presented for predicting the extent of absorption of nitrogen oxides at various gas rates and concentrations and are compared with the experimental results.The paper presents some new concepts of the factors which control the rate of absorption of nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide in water. An understanding of the controlling factors in the process should indicate methods for improving the design of absorption towers in nitric acid plants and aid in the design of scrubbers for removing nitrogen oxides from waste gases.