CO2 reforming of CH4 by synergies of binode thermal plasma and catalysts

To reduce the energy consumption of the process of CO2 reforming CH4 by plasma, the experiments about synergies of thermal plasma and commercial Z107 Ni/Al2O3 catalysts are investigated in three elaborate modes: the binode plasma only, the combination of the plasma and catalysts (CPC), the CPC with part of feed gases introduced into plasma discharge region. The optimal specific energy of 193 kJ/mol and energy conversion efficiency of 66% are achieved under the conditions of CH4/CO2 of 4/6, input power at 14.4 kW, feed gases of 5 m3/h in mode 3, when the conversions of CH4 and CO2 are 77% and 62%, and the selectivities of H2 and CO are 88% and 97%, respectively. The experimental results are very close to the industrial requirement compared with steam-reforming process. The excellent performance of this process is attributed to three different reaction mechanisms, which will be discussed in this paper.

► CO2 reforming of CH4 is carried out by thermal plasma. ► Few side-reactions take place in the thermal plasma reforming process. ► The energy consumption was reduced by the synergies of plasma and catalysts. ► Introducing part of feed gases into plasma discharge region is helpful. ► The best performance of the process benefits from three reaction courses.