TiO2-Coated Electrode for Plasma Dry Reformer for Synthesis Gas Production in Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Conversion of methane to syngas via plasma technology is a cost-effective approach to obtaining syngas. Methane conversion by means of ceramic electrodes was significantly increased. In plasma reformer, while electrical discharge is available in gas, very active species such as electrons, radicals, ions, atoms, and excited molecules are produced and they function as catalysts. Methane and carbon dioxide gases at atmospheric temperature and pressure in the non-thermal with TiO2-coated electrode plasma reactor with an inner diameter of 9 mm are converted to hydrogen and carbon monoxide (syngas) through one chemical step. The main objective of this research was to investigate the effects of changes in feed flow rate and feed ratio on methane conversion and product selectivity, as well as product distribution. Furthermore, the results were obtained when three synthesized catalysts were inserted in a section (3 mm) of plasma length (100 mm). The obtained results demonstrated that the voltage of 15 kV was required for methane conversion and hydrogen production. Reducing voltage and/or increasing the partial pressure ratio of methane to carbon monoxide in the reactor inlet resulted in the reduction of methane conversion rate. Moreover, according to the findings, increasing the ratio of carbon dioxide to methane would increase methane conversion and consequently, decrease the conversion of carbon dioxide. The conversion of methane and carbon dioxide was higher for co-precipitated Ce-Mn oxide support than those using the two other methods.