Hydrogen production by reforming methane in a corona inducing dielectric barrier discharge and catalyst hybrid reactor

Zhipeng Zhou,Taohong Ye,Weidong Xia,Pinghui Zhao,Jimin Zhang

doi:10.1007/s11434-011-4485-0

Zhipeng Zhou, Taohong Ye + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-011-4485-0

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Abstract

A novel corona inducing dielectric barrier discharge (CIDBD) and catalyst hybrid reactor was developed for reforming methane. This corona inducing technique allows dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to occur uniformly in a large gap at relatively low applied voltage. Hydrogen production by reforming methane with steam and air was investigated with the hybrid reactor under atmospheric pressure and temperatures below 600°C. The effects of input power, O2/C molar ratio and preheat temperature on methane conversion and hydrogen selectivity were investigated experimentally. It was found that higher methane conversions were obtained at higher discharge power, and methane conversion increased significantly with input power less than 50 W; the optimized molar ratio of O2/C was 0.6 to obtain the highest hydrogen selectivity (112%); under the synergy of dielectric barrier discharge and catalyst, methane conversion was close to the thermodynamic equilibrium conversion rate.

Highlights

A novel corona inducing dielectric barrier discharge (CIDBD) and catalyst hybrid reactor was developed for reforming methane
It was found that higher methane conversions were obtained at higher discharge power, and methane conversion increased significantly with input power less than 50 W; the optimized molar ratio of O2/C was 0.6 to obtain the highest hydrogen selectivity (112%); under the synergy of dielectric barrier discharge and catalyst, methane conversion was close to the thermodynamic equilibrium conversion rate
It may be concluded that nickel powder or any other conducting small particle dispersed in the discharge zone could generate CIDBD stably and uniformly, and is more favorable for production of energetic electrons and active radical species rather than heat losses

Summary

Experimental section

The preheated feed-in gas (methane, air and steam) was introduced into the DBD reactor. To improve the performance of discharge and catalyst, a mixed catalyst of nickel powder (7 g, average particle size 100 μm) and 5 wt% NiO-ceramic fiber (11.1 g) were added to the discharge zone of the DBD reactor. The experimental conditions were as follows: the inlet O2/C molar ratio was varied between 0.1 and 1; the inlet H2O/C molar ratio was fixed at 1; the inlet methane flow rate was maintained at 0.35 sL/min; the input power was varied from 20 to 100 W; the feed-in gas preheat tempera ure was 200, 250, 300 or 350°C. The temperature of the reactor wall was measured with a thermocouple during the t entire experiment, and found to be in the range 750–840 K

Discharge characteristics of corona inducing dielectric barrier discharge

Effect of experimental parameters on methane conversion

Effect of experimental parameters on hydrogen selectivity

Comparison of simulated and experimental data

Conclusions