Carbon Dioxide Conversion to Synthesis Gas when Combined with Methane using a New Designed of Non-thermal Plasma Reactor

The aim of this study in to investigate the performance of a three-pass flow configuration of a dielectric barrier discharge non-thermal plasma, as a new designed of non-thermal plasma reactor, to convert greenhouse gas emission, CO sub(2) and combined with CH sub(4) to produce synthesis gas, CO and H sub(2) in a CO sub(2) reforming process. This new designed reactor has a special configuration of its reactant gas flow that can provide several advantages, namely simultaneously cools the High Voltage Electrode (HVE) during the reaction process, extends the gas feed residence time and preheat the gas feed flow before entering the plasma zone, where the plasma reaction actually happens. The cooling process inside the reactor makes this reactor does not require a separate cooling device for its operation and the longer of residence time that can improve the feed gas conversion. Furthermore, the preheating of gas feed flow can improve the efficient use of energy for the process. Gases were converted in a 180 mA of 12.27 kV. The feed flow rates applied were 9.19, 19.45 and 85.43 cm super(3) min super(-1) and the reaction was carried out for a time on stream of 140 min. Results showed that the highest CO sub(2) and CH sub(4) conversions were 36.73 and 35.52%, respectively, obtained at a feed flow rate of 9.19 cm super( 3) min super(-1). The reaction produced not only synthesis gas but also C sub(2)H sub(6) and C sub(3) gas component with a proportions in terms of the molar flow rate were 28-53 and 0-26%, respectively. These gasses form were increased with an increasing feed flow rate. The most efficient Specific Energy (SE) was obtained at 2,333.5 kJ mole super(-1) which was reached at a feed flow rate of 85.45 cm super(3) min super(-1). This value was lower and more efficient than previous experiments by Wang (7,289 kJ mol super(-1)) but still higher comparing with the standard enthalpy needed for CO sub(2) reforming 61.75 kJ mol super( -1).