Publication
Title
Importance of plasma discharge characteristics in plasma catalysis : dry reforming of methane vs. ammonia synthesis
Author
Abstract
Plasma catalysis is a rapidly growing field, often employing a packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor. Such dielectric barrier discharges are complex, especially when a packing material (e.g., a catalyst) is introduced in the discharge volume. Catalysts are known to affect the plasma discharge, though the underlying mechanisms influencing the plasma physics are not fully understood. Moreover, the effect of the catalysts on the plasma discharge and its subsequent effect on the overall performance is often overlooked. In this work, we deliberately design and synthesize catalysts to affect the plasma discharge in different ways. These Ni or Co alumina-based catalysts are used in plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane and ammonia synthesis. Our work shows that introducing a metal to the dielectric packing can affect the plasma discharge, and that the distribution of the metal is crucial in this regard. Further, the altered discharge can greatly influence the overall performance. In an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge reactor, this apparently more uniform plasma yields a significantly better performance for ammonia synthesis compared to the more conventional filamentary discharge, while it underperforms in dry reforming of methane. This study stresses the importance of analyzing the plasma discharge in plasma catalysis experiments. We hope this work encourages a more critical view on the plasma discharge characteristics when studying various catalysts in a plasma reactor.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Chemical engineering journal. - Lausanne, 1996, currens
Publication
Lausanne : Elsevier Sequoia , 2024
ISSN
1385-8947 [print]
1873-3212 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.CEJ.2024.150838
Volume/pages
488 (2024) , p. 1-17
Article Reference
150838
ISI
001221606600001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Surface-COnfined fast-modulated Plasma for process and Energy intensification in small molecules conversion (SCOPE).
3D Structure of nanomaterials under realistic conditions (REALNANO).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 17.04.2024
Last edited 06.11.2024
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