HYDROGEN-FREE METHOD OF FABRICATION OF NITRIC ACID BY MEANS OF A CATALYST CONTAINING ALUMINUM NITRIDE OR OTHER GROUP III METALS NITRIDES

摘要

This disclosure relates to a method for fabrication of nitric acid without the use of hydrogen. The method is based on direct synthesis of nitric oxide at the surface of aluminum nitride or aluminum nitride containing solids as catalysts. The method uses nitrogen gas with an admixture of oxygen at a ratio nitrogen/oxygen of at least 10:1. The method may alternatively use other group III metal nitrides. By direct fabrication of nitric oxide the consumption of hydrogen is avoided, that generates substantial saving of methane, typically used for fabrication of pure hydrogen in the industrial scale.