System for the Removal of NO _X and SO ₂ from Incinerator Effluents, Part 1

Incineration is a promising method for converting biomass and human waste into CO₂ and H₂O during extended planetary exploration. During incineration, small amounts NO_X and SO₂ are produced and must be removed. TDA has developed a NO_X control process that is safe and effective and does not require addition of NH₃, which is commonly used in selective catalytic reduction of NO_x. In our process, NO is catalytically oxidized to NO₂ which is then removed by wet scrubbing with a weak base to form an innocuous water solution of nitrates and nitrites. We plan to integrate our catalytic NO oxidation process into a complete gas cleaning system that will remove NO_X, SO₂, particulate material, CO and unburned organic compounds.