Innovative Methane Conversion Technology Using Atmospheric Pressure Non-thermal Plasma

Non-thermal plasma assisted methane reforming is reviewed. Plasma catalysis is one of the innovative next generation green technologies that may meet the needs for energy and materials conservation as well as environmental protection. Non-thermal plasma uniquely generates reactive species independently of reaction temperature, and these species are used to initiate chemical reactions at unexpectedly lower temperatures than normal thermochemical reactions. Non-thermal plasma thus broadens the operation window of existing chemical conversion processes, and ultimately allows modification of the process parameters to minimize energy and material consumption. The general aspects of plasma assisted fuel reforming including arc plasma to non-thermal plasma are described. We specifically focus on dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) as one of the viable non-thermal plasma sources for practical fuel reforming. Two contrasting approaches of DBD-oriented plasma catalysis of methane are introduced: (1) Low temperature (300-500 degrees C) methane steam reforming using a plasma-catalyst hybrid reactor, and (2) Room temperature direct methane conversion to methanol using a microplasma reactor. The practical background and unique characteristics of each application such as the plasma-catalyst synergistic effect and highly non-equilibrium product distribution are explained.