Ammonia emissions from livestock housing represent not only an environmental challenge, it is also a missed opportunity for nutrient recovery. This research explores a circular approach to nitrogen management by capturing NH₃ from livestock ventilation air using an acidic air scrubber, where it reacts with nitric acid (HNO₃) to form ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃)—a valuable, marketable fertilizer.
To enhance sustainability, the study integrates an innovative method of on-site nitric acid production via a plasma reactor. Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂) are converted into nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), which are absorbed in water to form HNO₃, eliminating the need for industrial acid supply. The combined approach not only reduces nitrogen emissions but also creates a closed-loop system that recycles waste into agricultural input, promoting circularity and reducing dependency on external resources.