CO2 reforming of CH4 by atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma: A high conversion ability

CO2 reforming of CH4 to syngas has been investigated by a special designed plasma reactor of atmospheric pressure glow discharge, High conversion of CH4, CO2, and high selectivity of CO, H-2, as well as high conversion ability are carried out. The experiment is operated in wider parameter region, such as CH4/CO2 from 3/7 to 6/4, input power from 49.50 W to 88.40 W and total feed flux from 360 mL/min to 4000 mL/min. The highest conversion of CH4 and CO2 is 98.52% and 90.30%, respectively. Under the experimental conditions of CH4/CO2 rate at 4/6, input power at 69.85 W and total feed flux at 2200 mL/min, the conversion ability achieves a maximum of 12.21 mmol/kJ with the conversion of CH4 and CO2 is 60.97% and 49.91%, the selectivity of H-2 and CO is 89.30% and 72.58%, H-2/CO rate is 1.5, respectively. This process has advantages of relatively large treatment and high conversion ability, which is a benefit from a special designed plasma reactor. (C) 2008 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.