Kinetic analysis of the catalyst and nonthermal plasma hybrid reaction for methane steam reforming

Bioresources, such as landfill gas and agricultural residues, attract considerable attention because of growing concerns of global energy and environmental protection. However, the efficient usage of bioresource poses major challenges and generally necessitates appropriate pre-reforming processes. We propose a low-temperature (300-500 degrees C) upgrading method using an atmospheric pressure nonthermal discharge generated in a reforming catalyst bed reactor for profitable recovery of poor bioresources. Excited species produced by high-energy electron impact, which proceed independent of the temperature, accelerate methane steam reforming at lower temperatures than normal catalyst reactions with minimum energy required. The resultant hydrogen-enriched biogas is then available for use in conventional energy utility systems, such as internal combustion engines. This paper introduces fundamental characteristics of nonthermal discharge and the catalyst hybrid reactor. Furthermore, a detailed mechanistic study of synergistic effects between nonthermal discharge and the reforming catalyst is presented on the basis of the Arrhenius plot method.