Nonthermal-Plasma Reactions of Dilute Nitrogen Oxide Mixtures:  NO<INF>x</INF><INF></INF>-in-Argon and NO<INF>x</INF><INF></INF> + CO-in-Argon

Analysis of conversion mechanisms for NO and N<INF>2</INF>O in Ar plasma suggests that NO is converted through the reaction Ar⁺ + NO + e^- → Ar + N + O, whereas N<INF>2</INF>O is converted through the reaction Ar⁺ + N<INF>2</INF>O + e^- → Ar + N<INF>2</INF> + O. A time-averaged lumped model developed on the basis of this analysis matches the experimental data. CO inhibits N<INF>2</INF>O conversion but not NO conversion. However, parts-per-million levels of CO affect neither N<INF>2</INF>O nor NO conversion. Compared to N<INF>2</INF> plasma, which produces a weak streamer glow discharge and a small temperature increase along the reactor, Ar plasma produces a strong streamer discharge and a small temperature decrease along the reactor.