Roles of CO 2 and H 2O as oxidants in the plasma reforming of aliphatic hydrocarbons

Abstract

Roles of CO 2 and H 2O as oxidants are discussed based on the data on the substrate conversions and the product distributions in the nonthermal plasma reforming of aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methane, propane, and neopentane from 303 K to 433 K. Only small effects of initial concentrations of hydrocarbons and types of oxidants are observed on hydrocarbon conversions, and the initial chemical interaction between hydrocarbons and the oxidants unlikely occurs. CO 2 and H 2O have shown the comparable oxidation powers in the hydrocarbon reforming. Two molar excess of CO 2 or H 2O to methane is required to oxidize methane carbon atoms to CO and CO 2, and larger amounts of CO 2 or H 2O for propane and neopentane. The different natures of CO 2 and H 2O are reflected in the synthesis gas composition as in the ordinary catalytic reforming processes at higher temperatures: higher H 2 yields and higher H 2 to CO ratios on addition of H 2O.