Process for nitrogen oxide waste conversion to fertilizer

US6641638B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Dale E. Lueck · Chelmsford, US
• Clyde F. Parrish · Melbourne, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 17, 2000
• Grant date: Nov 4, 2003
• Expiry date: Feb 17, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C05C5/02
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention describes a process for converting vapor streams from sources containing at least one nitrogen-containing oxidizing agent therein to a liquid fertilizer composition comprising the steps of:a) directing a vapor stream containing at least one nitrogen-containing oxidizing agent to a first contact zone,b) contacting said vapor stream with water to form nitrogen oxide(s) from said at least one nitrogen-containing oxidizing agent,c) directing said acid(s) as a second stream to a second contact zone,d) exposing said second stream to hydrogen peroxide which is present within said second contact zone in a relative amount of at least 0.1% by weight of said second stream within said second contact zone to convert at least some of any nitrogen oxide species or ions other than in the nitrate form present within said second stream to nitrate ion,e) sampling said stream within said second contact zone to determine the relative amount of hydrogen peroxide within said second contact zone,f) adding hydrogen peroxide to said second contact zone when a level of hydrogen peroxide less than 0.1% by weight in said second stream is determined by said sampling,g) adding a solution co…