Catalytic high temperature decomposition (secondary abatement) of nitrous oxide over calcium aluminate 12CaO center dot 7Al(2)O(3) (mayenite) was studied in the model laboratory tests (TPSR) and pilot units (steady-state) using the real feed. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N-2-sorption (BET), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Raman spectroscopies were used to characterize the synthesized material. The catalyst exhibited high efficiency and selectivity in N2O removal, reaching practically 100% conversion at 1150 K without appreciable total losses of NOx . Owing to its high thermal stability and resistivity to sintering and low cost of production raw materials, mayenite was found to be a promising catalyst for economically appealing secondary abatement of nitrous oxide in nitric acid plants.