Nitrogen fixation by air non-thermal plasma

In this project, we are going to modify a plasma reactor that uses air, water and electricity to produce a solution containing fixed nitrogen to be used as a fertilizer. We will use several kinds of physical and chemical techniques to optimize the energy efficiency of nitrogen fixation. With this information in hand, we will evaluate the possibility to use the system with renewable energy from solar and wind to produce the fixed nitrogen in a cost effective manner. The expected outcome is the demonstration of sustainable and low cost fixation of nitrogen at a local scale, which will help diminish the reliance on large scale and polluting nitrogen fixation by Haber’s process.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gaétan Laroche

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Education

University:

Université Laval

Program: