Direct Conversion of Benzene as a Tar Analogue to Methane Using Non-thermal Plasma

Direct conversion of benzene to methane (>90%) was achieved in a hydrogen atmosphere in a non-thermal plasma dielectric barrier discharge reactor at atmospheric pressure. The distribution of products was a function of both plasma input power and temperature. At ambient temperature, the selectivity to lower hydrocarbons increased from 20 to 56% as the power was increased from 50 to 85 W. However, at a wall temperature of 200 degrees C, the selectivity to lower hydrocarbons increased to 80% at 50 W and 97% at 75 W. The major product was methane, reaching a selectivity to 90% at 85 W and 200 degrees C. Increasing input power and temperature both promoted the formation of methane. However, the selectivity to >C-1 started to increase when increasing the concentration at a constant power (85 W) and temperature (200 degrees C).