Methane decomposition by plasma-packed bed non-thermal plasma reactor

Abstract

A dielectric barrier discharge reactor (DBD) was employed as a non-thermal plasma (NTP) source for non-oxidative conversion of methane at ambient condition. The reactor was later operated as packed-bed DBD and also served with catalyst coupling. In the bed, dielectric materials (glass beads, BaTiO3) as well as some catalytic support materials (TiO2, SiO2 and γ-Al2O3 beads) were introduced in order to find out the non-catalytic reaction mechanism. Typical results indicated that the non-catalytic mode could favorably activate the strong C-H bond to produce H2 and light hydrocarbons without applying any oxidant or thermal energy. Apart from the materials property (shape, size, surface area, dielectric constant) different plasma parameters has a strong influence on the reaction performance. The existence of highest methane conversion and products yield was experimentally observed form the catalyst coupled plasma mode which could be reasonably described by their dominant catalytic surface properties. Moreover, the present reactor model found to be able enough in limiting the solid coke formation on catalyst surface.