Effects of Reactor Packing Materials on H2 Production by CO2 Reforming of CH4 in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Non-thermal plasma has been investigated for CO2 reforming of CH4 in a coaxial DBD reactor with different reactor packing materials placed into the discharge gap. Both the chemical and physical effects on reaction performance have been examined for the addition of quartz wool, ?-Al2O3 and zeolite 3A, in order to gain a better understanding of plasma interactions with materials during CH4 reforming reactions. Quartz wool was found to enhance the conversion of CH4 and improve H2 yields as a result of changes in the physical properties of the discharge; electrical measurements showed an increase in the intensity of microdischarge filaments over quartz wool. In the presence of Al2O3 and zeolite 3A, the discharge intensity was reduced and consequently CH4 and CO2 conversions were lower for these materials. However, in the presence of zeolite 3A improved selectivities towards H2 and light hydrocarbons acetylene/ethylene were obtained and formation of liquid hydrocarbons was inhibited due to shape-selectivity determined by the zeolite pore size.