Co-Generation of C2+ Hydrocarbons and Synthesis Gas from Methane and Carbon Dioxide using Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Plasma Reactor without Catalyst at Low Temperature

Co-generation of C2+ hydrocarbons and synthesis gas from methane and carbon dioxide has been an important issue in tackling the global warming effects from the two greenhouse gases. Dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma technology has been proposed to improve the process involving conversion and utilization of both methane and carbon dioxide. In this paper, a study on the effects of CH4/CO2 feed ratio, total feed flow rate, and discharge voltage on performance of DBD plasma reactor without catalyst at low temperature were addressed. The three factors in the DBD reactor showed significant effects on the reactor performances, i.e. methane conversion, synthesis gas and C2+ hydrocarbons selectivities. With the DBD plasma reactor without catalyst, the C2+ hydrocarbons (ethane, ethylene, acetylene, and propane) and synthesis gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide), were produced from methane and carbon dioxide at low temperature with promising performances. Co-feeding carbon dioxide to the methane feed stream reduced coking and enhanced methane conversion. Methane and carbon dioxide conversions were influenced significantly by the discharge voltage. High discharge voltage, low CH4/CO2 feed ratio, and low total feed flow rate were suitable for the co-generation over DBD plasma reactor with potential performances.