CO2-CH4 conversion and syngas formation at atmospheric pressure using a multi-electrode dielectric barrier discharge

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a multi-electrode dielectric barrier discharge reactor capable of converting CO2 and CH4 into valuable chemicals efficiently at atmospheric pressure, suitable for high flow rates.

Contribution

Introduces a novel multi-electrode DBD geometry optimized for high flow rate gas treatment and evaluates its efficiency and product yields.

Findings

Effective conversion of CO2 and CH4 into CO, H2, and other chemicals.

Good energy efficiency at high gas flow rates.

Influence of flow rates, plasma power, and carrier gas on conversion.

Abstract

The conversion of CO2 and CH4 into value-added chemicals is studied in a new geometry of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) with multi-electrodes, dedicated to the treatment of high gas flow rates. Gas chromatography is used to define the CO2 and CH4 conversion as well as the yields of the products of decomposition (CO, O2 and H2) and of recombination (C2H4, C2H6 and CH2O). The influence of three parameters is investigated on the conversion: the CO2 and CH4 flow rates, the plasma power and the nature of the carrier gas (argon or helium). The energy efficiency of the CO2 conversion is estimated and compared with those of similar atmospheric plasma sources. Our DBD reactor shows a good compromise between a good energy efficiency and the treatment of a large CO2 flow rate.