Non-Thermal Plasma Nitrogen Fixation at Village Scale: A Computed Design Budget for a Solar-Powered Gliding-Arc Unit, Compared with a Dielectric Barrier Discharge and with Delivered Synthetic Fertiliser
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Design and computed budget (SIMULATED, NOT MEASURED) for a village-scale non-thermal plasma nitrogen fixation unit: air through an electrical discharge, fixed nitrogen captured as nitrate in water, powered by a 10 kWp solar array (42.5 kWh/day usable). Gliding arc: 98.17 kWh and USD 13.00 per kg N captured, 0.433 kg N/day, 129.9 kg N/year. Dielectric barrier discharge (loser): 1,745.16 kWh and USD 204.35 per kg N captured, 0.024 kg N/day. Delivered remote urea costs USD 2.065 per kg N, so even the winning gliding-arc design is 6.3x more expensive; break-even requires 0.572 MJ/mol discharge energy cost, unreported for atmospheric gliding arcs. Accompanying compute script and results deposited.
Author: Aldred, William Alexander
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225749274
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