Homogeneous nitrous oxide formation and destruction under combustion conditions

N₂O decomposition and formation during the oxidation of NH₃ and HCN were studied in a quartz flow reactor in the presence of CO, NO and other gases. The emphasis is on the influence of CO and NO. In addition, the homogeneous nitrogen chemistry of fluidized bed combustion and the selective noncatalytic reduction of NO (SNR) are discussed. The rate of N₂O decomposition in N₂ agrees with a first‐order rate expression. The presence of CO or H₂ increases the decomposition rate regardless of the additional presence of O₂ For the formation of N₂O, HCN oxidation is more efficient than NH₃ oxidation. The presence of NO increases the amount of N₂O formed during the oxidation of HCN or NH₃.CO moves the N₂O formation toward lower temperatures. H₂O increases the reaction rate where few components are present, whereas H₂O has little influence in the presence of large amounts of a combustible component such as CO. There are indications that NO is a necessary intermediate for any significant formation of N₂O during the oxidation of NH₃ and HCN. NO reduction is obtained when NO is initially present during oxidation of both NH₃ and HCN. These results are comparable to the respective SNR results with reductant ammonia and urea.