An investigation of CO₂splitting using nanosecond pulsed corona discharge: effect of argon addition on CO₂conversion and energy efficiency

Abstract

The plasma chemical splitting of carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce carbon monoxide (CO) in a
\npulsed corona discharge was investigated from both an experimental and a numerical standpoint.
\nHigh voltage nanosecond pulses were applied to a stream of pure CO2 and its mixture with argon,
\nand the gaseous products were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Due to the
\nshape of pulses, the process of CO2 splitting was found to proceed in two phases. The first phase is
\ndominated by ionization, which generates a high electron density. Then, during the second phase,
\ndirect electron impact dissociation of CO2 contributes to a large portion of CO production.
\nConversion and energy efficiency were calculated for the tested conditions. The conversions
\nachieved are comparable to those obtained using other high pressure non-thermal discharges, such as
\ndielectric barrier discharge. However, the energy efficiencies were considerably higher, which are
\nfavorable to industrial applications that require atmospheric conditions and elevated gas flow rates.