抄録
Nitrous oxide (N_2O) in the atmosphere contributes to the greenhouse effect more significantly than CO_2 gas. In addition, the ozone layer is possibly destroyed by NO produced from N_2O as well as chlorofuloro carbons (CFCs). In spite of world-widely understanding of the increase ratio to concentration of N_2,the origin emission sources are not clarified, which caused recent drastically increase in atmospheric concentration. One of the N_2O emission source is widely used as anesthetic in the operating rooms of hospitals. Since even minute concentrations of N_2O may cause health problems for operating-theater staff who are chronically exposed, the exhaled air from the patient as well as any excess N_2O should be exhausted from the area without their exposure. In this study, the degree of conversion of N_2O to N_2 and O_2 was investigated experimentally with Rh/Al_2O_3 and Pd/Al_2O_3 catalysts, and the optimum conditions of operation were determined.
