Plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane over Ni-supported catalysts in a rotating gliding arc ? Spouted bed reactor

A combination of a rotating gliding arc and a spouted catalytic bed was investigated in a plasma-catalytic system for dry reforming of methane (DRM). Different nickel-based catalysts, including Ni supported on Al2O3 or SiO2 (fresh and passivated) with 0, 15, and 30 wt % Ni, were investigated. It was found that a more stable operation of the plasma-catalytic system was obtained with the Al2O3-supported catalyst rather than with the SiO2 catalyst. A noticeable increase in selectivity towards CO and H2 was obtained with a catalytic bed in the plasma zone, reducing acetylene production, a byproduct of DRM, when carried out under plasma conditions. A maximum selectivity of CO of 96.7 % was obtained for the combination of plasma and passivated 30Ni/SiO2. For H2, the maximum selectivity achieved was 84.9 % for plasma + fresh 15NiO/SiO2. Additionally, the formation of soot and coke in the reactor was strongly reduced by the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst characterization showed that the plasma introduces defects on the Ni catalyst, making it more electronegative. However, the crystalline structure of the catalyst was not affected by contact with the plasma, suggesting that the change in the surface chemistry might affect the performance of the catalyst during the DRM reaction.

Automated summary

The combination of rotating gliding arc and a spouted catalytic bed in a plasma-catalytic system for dry reforming of methane showed more stable operation using Al2O3-supported catalysts compared to SiO2. Using a catalytic bed in the plasma zone significantly increased selectivity towards CO and H2, reducing acetylene production in the process. The presence of a catalyst also greatly reduced the formation of soot and coke in the reactor, indicating potential for improving catalytic performance during DRM reactions.