Decomposition Characteristics of an Artificial Biogas in a Low-Pressure DC Glow Discharge

SUMMARY The decomposition characteristics of an artificial biogas, which is a mixture of CH 4, CO 2, and H 2 S, using a low‐pressure DC glow discharge have been investigated. It is found that H 2, CO, C 2 H 2, H 2 O, CS 2, and COS are produced from the artificial biogas in the glow discharge. About 65% of the hydrogen atoms in CH 4 are converted into H 2 at an input energy of 800 J, at which CH 4 is completely decomposed, and the decomposition characteristics of the artificial biogas are minimally dependent on the H 2 S additive. Further, H 2 S has a tendency to be decomposed earlier than the other components of the artificial biogas. When the glow discharge is generated in the artificial biogas with H 2 S, some of the carbon atoms are found to deposit on the electrodes and the wall of the discharge chamber. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 186(1): 26–33, 2014; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22304