Chemgineer
Hazard to Others
Posts: 216
Registered: 25-5-2021
Member Is Offline
|
|
Birkeland-eyde reactor vs ozone generator
I am curious what the difference is between a birkeland-eyde reactor and an ozone generator. As I understand an ozone generator uses high voltage to
produce plasma that forms ozone. Is this not very similar to an arc in the birkeland-eyde?
I suppose the opposite question is why don't fish tank ozone generators produce nitric acid in the fish tank?
Is it maybe the size of the arc and the voltages involved?
|
|
Rainwater
National Hazard
Posts: 919
Registered: 22-12-2021
Member Is Offline
Mood: indisposition to activity
|
|
My understanding, which is most likely to be completely wrong as I am accustomed to being is ...
Ozone forms in a corona discharge between two high voltage plates. Forming a new bond by converting 3O2 into 2O3, kinda like electrolysis but with
air, This is a horrible analogy. Resulting in ozone (O3 and trinitrogen N3 the resulting N3 is so unstable it
doesnt form or just falls apart shortly after.
Birkeland-eyde reactors are a form of pyrolysis. The extreme heat causes the N2 and O2 bonds to break. This creates free
radicals of the 2 which are highly reactive. When you have a O1 bump into nitrogen you get NO.
As nitrogen is the majority component of air, its the most likely occurring reaction.
But any combination of the 4 can occur which is why the Birkeland-eyde reaction is so inefficient
"You can't do that" - challenge accepted
|
|