Plasma Reforming and Coupling of Methane with Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

Plasma reforming and coupling of methane with carbon dioxide using a point-to-point type of reactor have been invested. A feed mixture of CH4 and CO2 could be converted mainly to CO, H2, and C2H2 at atmospheric pressure and without external heating except plasma heating. Under a condition of 200 mL/min of CH4 and CO2 (CH4:CO2 volume ratio, 50:50), a 2.5 mm discharge gap, and a pulse frequency of 10.3 kPPS, CH4 and CO2 conversion, CO and C2H2 selectivities, H2/CO ratio, and (CH4 + CO2) conversion efficiency were 65.9% and 57.8%, 85.9% and 11.3%, 0.99, and 2.4 mmol/kJ, respectively. C2H2 selectivity and H2/CO ratio could be moderated by changing CH4 concentration in the feed mixture. The influence of methane concentration and pulse frequency on product selectivity and plasma energy efficiency was evaluated. A brief economic evaluation of this process was given. The coproduction of acetylene of high value remarkably improved the production of synthesis gas (CO + H2) from carbon dioxide reforming of methane, ...