Modeling of CO2 conversion in low-pressure glow discharges in CO2-N2 mixtures

An approach for evaluation of plasma parameters and conversion factor in glow discharges in CO2-N-2 mixtures at low pressures is presented. In the framework of this approach, analytical expressions relating plasma characteristics (the electric field, the gas temperature) in discharges in the mixtures with those in pure CO2 have been obtained. It is shown that dissociation of CO2 molecules in collisions with electronically excited N-2 molecules gives substantial contribution to the conversion rate. Obtained dependences of the plasma parameters and conversion factor on the nitrogen molar fraction agree with available experimental data.

Automated summary

An approach for evaluating plasma parameters and conversion factor in glow discharges in CO2-N-2 mixtures at low pressures is presented. Analytical expressions relating plasma characteristics in the mixtures with those in pure CO2 have been obtained. It is found that dissociation of CO2 molecules in collisions with electronically excited N-2 molecules significantly affects the conversion rate. The obtained dependence of plasma parameters and conversion factor on the nitrogen molar fraction agrees well with experimental data.