Simulation of Processes Initiated in Nickel Nitrate Aqueous Solution by an Atmospheric Pressure DC Gas Discharge

We propose a 0-D model describing processes in a system comprising an atmospheric pressure DC discharge and aqueous nickel nitrate solution. The model is represented as two coupled subsystems: plasma and solution. Characteristics of the discharge plasma have been determined by jointly solving the Boltzmann equation for electrons; equations of vibrational kinetics for the ground states of N₂, O₂, NO, H₂, and H₂O molecules; and equations of chemical kinetics (328 reactions, 34 components). In doing so, use was made of experimentally determined reduced electric field strength and vibrational and gas temperatures. The kinetics of the processes in the solution included 121 reactions and 34 components. The calculation results agree with experimental data on the vibrational temperatures of N₂(X) molecules, the kinetics of the decrease in Ni²⁺ concentration, and the variation in solution pH. We have determined the degree of Ni²⁺ conversion and the energy yield of conversion and identified the mechanisms that determine the concentration of the major solution components.