Nitrogen Fixation in Water Using Air Phase Gliding Arc Plasma

Treatment of irrigation water using plasma involves a series of electrochemical reactions that forms NO x − in water working as a fertilizer in plant cultivation. Here we report the results of an experimental study of the effects of different discharge conditions especially discharge frequency on air phase gliding arc discharge. The results show that, the low-frequency system consumed nearly three times more energy than the high-frequency system when generating the same NO x − production rate in water; gas flow rate has strong influence on the low-frequency system while slight influence on the high-frequency system; high-frequency discharge can generate much larger plasma area to promote electrochemical reactions resulting more NO x − produced in water. Frequency from 5 kHz to 80 kHz does not significantly influence on the nitrogen fixation of gliding arc.