Low Temperature Decomposition of Nitrous Oxide over Fe/ZSM-5: Modelling of the Dynamic Behaviour

The kinetics of N2O decomposition to gaseous nitrogen and oxygen over HZSM-5 catalysts with low content of iron (360 °C. The amount of surface NO during the transient increases with the reaction temperature, the reaction time, and the N2O concentration in the gas phase up to a maximum value. The maximum amount of surface NO was found to be independent on the temperature and N2O concentration in the gas phase. This leads to a first-order N2O decomposition during the transient period, and to a zero-order under steady state. A kinetic model is proposed for the autocatalytic reaction. The simulated concentration–time profiles were consistent with the experimental data under transient as well as under steady-state conditions giving a proof for the kinetic model suggested in this study.