Oxidative Coupling and Reforming of Methane with Carbon Dioxide Using a High-Frequency Pulsed Plasma

Abstract

We studied the oxidative coupling and reforming of CH4 with CO2 to C2H4, CO, and H2 using a pulsed plasma with a pulse frequency ranging from 166 to 3050 PPS. The largest selectivity of C2H4 was 64% with 31% CH4 conversion and 24% CO2 conversion at 2920 PPS and 500 °C. Selectivities of CO and H2 were about 20% and 100%, respectively. Ratios of H2 to CO and (CO + CO2) were, respectively, 7.1 and 2.5, which are acceptable for methanol production from (CO + H2) and (CO2 + H2) over a catalyst. The results indicated that the pulsed plasma with a high frequency can promote conversion of CH4 and CO2. The energy efficiency of the pulsed plasma was improved using a high pulse frequency and a high reaction temperature. We suggested that a pulsed plasma with a high pulse frequency is useful for oxidative coupling and reforming of CH4 with CO2 in industry.