Absorption of NOx into Nitric Acid Solution in Rotating Packed Bed

Abstract Absorption of NOx into nitric acid solutions was studied in the presence of ozone by using a rotating packed bed (RPB) contactor. The influences of operating parameters, such as high gravity number, amount of ozone, gas velocity, liquid spray density and inlet concentration of NOx, on the removal efficiency of NOx were investigated, among which the high gravity number and ozone amount are more important. Ozone was introduced to oxidize HNO2 to HNO3 to prevent the decomposition of HNO2 in the liquid phase. The high gravity number presents the effective external force for enhancing the mass transfer of ozone from gas phase to liquid phase. Under the experimental condition, the removal efficiency of NOx is higher than 90% and the concentration of nitric acid product exceeds 45%.