Oxygen generators and methods related to the generation of oxygen using activated aluminum alloys and inorganic acids such as nitric acid are generally described. In some embodiments, aluminum nitrate is thermally decomposed to produce oxygen and nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen dioxide may also optionally be used to produce oxygen gas. In some embodiments, a reaction between nitric acid and an activated aluminum alloy may be used to produce the aluminum nitrate. In other embodiments, a reaction between nitric acid and aluminum hydroxide may be used to produce the aluminum nitrate.

Dinitrogen tetroxide (N.sub.2O.sub.4) is synthesized in an apparatus by the reaction of concentrated nitric acid with copper. Oxygen is applied as a carrier gas to convert NO to NO.sub.2, and water vapor is removed with a tube dryer. A molecular sieve is applied to reduce and remove impurities.

Dinitrogen tetroxide (N.sub.2O.sub.4) is synthesized in an apparatus by the reaction of concentrated nitric acid with copper. Oxygen is applied as a carrier gas to convert NO to NO.sub.2, and water vapor is removed with a tube dryer. A molecular sieve is applied to reduce and remove impurities.

The present disclosure provides autocatalytic cycles and chemical reactor systems in which the autocatalytic cycles may be conducted. Also provided are methods of identifying the autocatalytic cycles and methods of conducting the autocatalytic cycles, e.g., to produce a desired product. Regarding the methods of conducting the autocatalytic cycles, such a method comprises: carrying out a comproportionation reaction by reacting a first reactant M.sub.1 and a second reactant M.sub.2 to form a product M.sub.3, wherein M.sub.1, M.sub.2, and M.sub.3 each comprise at least one chemical element in common and the product M.sub.3 is produced in stoichiometric excess; and carrying out an auxiliary reaction by converting the product M.sub.3 to M.sub.1 or M.sub.2.

The present disclosure provides autocatalytic cycles and chemical reactor systems in which the autocatalytic cycles may be conducted. Also provided are methods of identifying the autocatalytic cycles and methods of conducting the autocatalytic cycles, e.g., to produce a desired product. Regarding the methods of conducting the autocatalytic cycles, such a method comprises: carrying out a comproportionation reaction by reacting a first reactant M.sub.1 and a second reactant M.sub.2 to form a product M.sub.3, wherein M.sub.1, M.sub.2, and M.sub.3 each comprise at least one chemical element in common and the product M.sub.3 is produced in stoichiometric excess; and carrying out an auxiliary reaction by converting the product M.sub.3 to M.sub.1 or M.sub.2.

The present invention relates generally to an ammonia capture system or method comprising plasma NOx and, more particularly to such system and method for ammonia capture comprising a two-tank NOx absorption system. Furthermore the present invention concerns a system to produce ammonium nitrate in solution or as a solid from atmospheric ammonium.

The present invention relates generally to an ammonia capture system or method comprising plasma NOx and, more particularly to such system and method for ammonia capture comprising a two-tank NOx absorption system. Furthermore the present invention concerns a system to produce ammonium nitrate in solution or as a solid from atmospheric ammonium.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming NOx from nitrogen and oxygen, the apparatus comprising: a gliding arc discharge, GAD, device arranged to generate a plasma; a passageway including an inlet for a feed gas comprising nitrogen and oxygen and an outlet for the NO.sub.x, wherein the passageway extends, at least in part, through the GAD device wherein, in use, the nitrogen and oxygen are reacted in the generated plasma, thereby forming the NO.sub.x from at least some of the nitrogen and oxygen; and a post-discharge container for adjusting the NO.sub.2/NO ratio in the formed NO.sub.x to from 1:2 to 2:1.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for forming NOx from nitrogen and oxygen, the apparatus comprising: a gliding arc discharge, GAD, device arranged to generate a plasma; a passageway including an inlet for a feed gas comprising nitrogen and oxygen and an outlet for the NO.sub.x, wherein the passageway extends, at least in part, through the GAD device wherein, in use, the nitrogen and oxygen are reacted in the generated plasma, thereby forming the NO.sub.x from at least some of the nitrogen and oxygen; and a post-discharge container for adjusting the NO.sub.2/NO ratio in the formed NO.sub.x to from 1:2 to 2:1.

Disclosed is an apparatus for conversion of ammonia into oxides of nitrogen which may comprise an adiabatic burner (108), a set of platinum/rhodium alloy catalytic gauzes (102A), (102B), and (102C), a waste heat recovery boiler (WHRB) (110), an absorption tower (302A), (302B), (302C), (302D) and (302E), a NaOH tank (306) and a surge tank (304). Further, the adiabatic burner may be configured to carry out catalytic oxidation of air and ammonia, using catalytic gauzes (102A), (102B), and (102C) of platinum/rhodium alloy. Further, the mixture of air and ammonia may be selectively oxidized to oxides of nitrogen, which may be absorbed in an alkali medium in the absorption tower (302A), (302B), (302C), (302D) and (302E), to yield sodium nitrites and nitrates.