Methane conversion in the presence of oxygen under low-temperature radio frequency plasma

Methane conversion in the presence of oxygen under low-temperature radio frequency (RF) plasma was investigated. The experiment results indicated that the following four factors, i.e., discharge voltage, discharge area, O2/CH4 molar ratio and total gas flowrate, affected remarkably the reaction performance. The optimum reaction conditions of methane conversion in the presence of O2 under RF plasma are as follows: discharge voltage 1050 V, discharge area 989.1mm², O2/CH4 molar ratio 1/10 and total gas flowrate 200 ml/min. A methane conversion of 91% could be reached under the optimum conditions. Oxygen is good for the breaking of C--H bonds and also acts as a sort of thinner. According to the low-temperature plasma characteristics, the macroscopic kinetics model of methane conversion in the presence of O2 under radio frequency plasma was studied.     

Effect of decomposition of catalyst precursor on Ni/CeO2 activity for CO methanation

CO methanation on Ni/CeO₂ has recently received increasing attention. However, the low-temperature activity and carbon resistance of Ni/CeO₂ still need to be improved. In this study, plasma decomposition of nickel nitrate was performed at ca. 150°C and atmospheric pressure. This was followed by hydrogen reduction at 500 °C in the absence of plasma, and a highly dispersed Ni/CeO₂ catalyst was obtained with improved CO adsorption and enhanced metal-support interaction. The plasma-decomposed catalyst showed significantly improved low-temperature activity with high methane selectivity (up to 100%) and enhanced carbon resistance for CO methanation. For example, at 250°C, the plasma-decomposed catalyst showed a CO conversion of 96.8% with high methane selectivity (almost 100%), whereas the CO conversion was only 14.7% for a thermally decomposed catalyst.     

Remarkable Enhancement in the Dispersion and Low-Temperature Activity of Catalysts Prepared via Novel Plasma Reduction-Calcination Method

A novel plasma reduction and calcination (PR&C) method has been recently developed. Upon the experimental investigations on methane conversions, including partial oxidation, methane combustion, NO reduction by methane and CO₂ reforming, the catalysts prepared by this PR&C method exhibit a remarkable enhancement in the dispersion, low-temperature activity and stability. A plasma-enhanced acidity has also been addressed, which would play an important role in the improved dispersion. The PR&C method is leading to a better preparation of supported catalysts, esp., those for methane conversion.     

Mathematical Modeling of the Plasma-Chemical Pyrolysis of Methane

A mathematical model was developed for the plasma-chemical pyrolysis of methane, which includes the latest data on the mechanism and kinetics of chemical processes of hydrocarbon pyrolysis and mixing of methane jets with hydrogen heated in an arc plasma torch. The results of calculations on methane conversion and the synthesis of acetylene and its homologues satisfactorily agree with experimental data over a wide range of parameters of the process. It was shown that the methane conversion is initiated via interaction with atomic hydrogen, acetylene is produced through the dissociation of intermediate products involving radicals, and the consumption of acetylene is due to the synthesis of its homologues involving vinylidenecarbene and methylenecarbene in the ground and excited states.     

Kinetic Modeling of Plasma Methane Conversion Using Gliding Arc

Plasma methane (CH4) conversion in gliding arc discharge was examined. The result data of experiments regarding the performance of gliding arc discharge were presented in this paper. A simulation which is consisted some chemical kinetic mechanisms has been provided to analyze and describe the plasma process. The effect of total gas flow rate and input frequency refers to power consumption have been studied to evaluate the performance of gliding arc plasma system and the reaction mechanism of decomposition.Experiment results indicated that the maximum conversion of CH4 reached 50% at the total gas flow rate of 1 L/min. The plasma reaction was occurred at the atmospheric pressure and the main products were C (solid), hydrogen, and acetylene (C2H2). The plasma reaction of methane conversion was exothermic reaction which increased the product stream temperature around 30～50℃.     

微波诱导甲烷在活性炭/碳化硅上直接转化制C2烃

 在高功率脉冲微波辐照下甲烷可在常压条件下在活性炭/碳化硅和活性炭碳化硅等 三种催化剂上直接转化为C2烃。研究结果表明,当使用合适的微波作用条件时,微波加热与微波 等离子协同作用可使甲烷在多孔碳化硅担载的活性炭催化剂上以很高的转化率和选择性直接转化为乙炔,除单独的微波加热诱导作用和微波等离子催化作用外,转移反应机制可能是微波加热与微波等离子交互作用的具体表现形式,对促进甲烷向乙炔直接转化起了重要作用。     

A High-Efficiency Reactor for the Pulsed Plasma Conversion of Methane

The authors recently developed a high-frequency pulsed plasma process for methane conversion to acetylene and hydrogen using a co-axial cylindrical (CAC) type of reactor. The energy efficiency represented by methane conversion rate per unit input energy has been improved so that such a pulsed plasma has potential for commercial acetylene production. A pulsed plasma consists of a pulsed corona discharge and a pulsed spark discharge. Most of energy is injected over the duration of the pulsed spark discharge. Methane conversion using this kind of pulsed plasma is a kind of pyrolysis enhanced by the pulsed spark discharge. In this study, a point-to-point (PTP) type of reactor that can produce a discharge channel over the duration of a pulse discharge was used for the pulsed plasma conversion of methane. The energy efficiency and carbon formation on electrodes have been improved. The influences of pulse frequency and pulse voltage on methane conversion rate and product selectivity were investigated. The features of methane conversion using PTP and CAC reactors were discussed.     

Conversion of natural gas to C_2 hydrocarbons through dielectric-barrier discharge plasma catalysis

The experiments are carried out in the system of continuous flow reactors with dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) for studies on the conversion of natural gas to C2 hydrocarbons through plasma catalysis under the atmosphere pressure and room temperature. The influence of discharge frequency, structure of electrode, discharge voltage, number of electrode, ratio of H2/CH4, flow rate and catalyst on conversion of methane and selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons are investigated. At the same time, the reaction process is investigated. Higher conversion of methane and selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons are achieved and deposited carbons are eliminated by proper choice of parameters. The appropriate operation parameters in dielectric-barrier discharge plasma field are that the supply voltage is 20-40 kV (8.4-40 W), the frequency of power supply is 20 kHz, the structure of (b) electrode is suitable, and the flow of methane is 20-60 ml · min-1. The conversion of methane can reach 45%, the selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons i     

Preparation method effect on the physicochemical and catalytic properties of a methane dehydroaromatization catalyst

The molybdenum precursor effect on the physicochemical properties of the Мо/ZSM-5 catalyst and on its catalytic properties in nonoxidative methane conversion into aromatic hydrocarbons has been investigated. The textural characteristics of molybdenum catalysts have been determined by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and their acidity has been measured by temperature-programmed ammonia desorption. The microstructure and composition of Mo/ZSM-5 samples have been determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The activity and on-stream stability of the Мо-containing zeolite catalyst in the nonoxidative conversion of methane depend on the type of molybdenum compound that was used in catalyst preparation.     

Conversion of natural gas to C2 hydrocarbons via cold plasma technology

The plasma technology served as a tool in unconventional catalysis has been used in natural gas conversion, because the traditional catalytic methane oxidative coupling reaction must be performed at high temperature on account of the stability of methane molecule. The focus of this research is to develop a process of converting methane to C2 hydrocarbons with non-equilibrium plasma technology at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. It was found that methane conversion increased and the selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons decreased with the voltage. The optimum input voltage range was 40-80 V corresponding to high yield of C2 hydrocarbons. Methane conversion decreased and the selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons increased with the inlet flow rate of methane. The proper methane flow rate was 20-40 ml/min (corresponding residence time 10-20 s). The experimental results show that methane conversion was 47% and the selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons was 40% under the proper condition using atmospheric DBD cold plasma technology. It was found that the breakdown voltage of methane VB was determined by the type of electrode and the discharge gap width in this glow discharge reactor. The breakdown voltage of methane VB,min derived from the Paschen law equation was established.     

Conversion of natural gas to C_2 hydrocarbons via cold plasma technology

The plasma technology served as a tool in unconventional catalysis has been used in natural gas conversion,because the traditional catalytic methane oxidative coupling reaction must be performed at high temperature on account of the stability of methane molecule.The focus of this research is to develop a process of converting methane to C2 hydrocarbons with non-equilibrium plasma technology at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.It was found that methane conversion increased and the selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons decreased with the voltage.The optimum input voltage range was 40-80 V corresponding to high yield of C2 hydrocarbons.Methane conversion decreased and the selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons increased with the inlet flow rate of methane.The proper methane flow rate was 20-40 ml/min (corresponding residence time 10-20 s).The experimental results show that methane conversion was 47% and the selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons was 40% under the proper condition using atmospheric DBD cold plasma technology.It was found that the breakdown voltage of methane VB was determined by the type of electrode and the discharge gap width in this glow discharge reactor.The breakdown voltage of methane VB,min derived from the Paschen law equation was established.     

滑动弧电极放电等离子体作用甲烷制C2烃的工艺

采用刀片式不锈钢电极放电反应器,以Ar气为稀释气,研究了等离子体作用下甲烷转化制C2烃的工艺条件。考察了CH4流量、高频电源输入电压和电极间距等参数对甲烷转化率、C2烃选择性、收率和反应表观能耗的影响。结果表明,增加CH4流量,表观能耗随之降低;当输入电压和电极间距较小时,甲烷转化率随输入电压和电极间距的增大而增大,但输入电压和电极间距过大时,C2烃收率明显下降,积碳严重。在CH4流量14 mL/min、Ar气流量60 mL/min、高频电源输入电压22 V、电流0.44 A、电极间距4 mm的优化条件下,甲烷最高转化率为43.1%,C2烃收率、选择性和表观能耗分别为40.1%、93.2%和2.41 MJ/mol。C2烃中不饱和烃的体积分数可达95%以上。     

Preparation of hydrogen for feeding fuel cells by low-temperature conversion of ethanol on Ni/ZnO and Ni-Cu/ZnO catalysts

Preparation of hydrogen by low-temperature steam conversion of ethanol on nickel and binary nickel-copper catalysts supported on zinc oxide was studied experimentally in the temperature interval 200–450°C. High efficiency of hydrogen evolution in the course of ethanol conversion on these catalysts was demonstrated. At temperatures lower than 350°C, the main conversion products are hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. At 400°C, the conversion products contain no carbon monoxide, which allows the mixture obtained to be used for feeding fuel cells with proton-conducting membranes.     

Conversion of natural gas to C2 hydrocarbons through dielectric-barrier discharge plasma catalysis

The experiments are carried out in the system of continuous flow reactors with dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) for studies on the conversion of natural gas to C₂ hydrocarbons through plasma catalysis under the atmosphere pressure and room temperature. The influence of discharge frequency, structure of electrode, discharge voltage, number of electrode, ratio of H₂/CH₄, flow rate and catalyst on conversion of methane and selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons are investigated. At the same time, the reaction process is investigated. Higher conversion of methane and selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons are achieved and deposited carbons are eliminated by proper choice of parameters. The appropriate operation parameters in dielectric-barrier discharge plasma field are that the supply voltage is 20–40 kV (8.4–40 W), the frequency of power supply is 20 kHz, the structure of (b) electrode is suitable, and the flow of methane is 20–60 mL · min⁻¹. The conversion of methane can reach 45%, the selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons is 76%, and the total selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons and C₃ hydrocarbons is nearly 100%. The conversion of methane increases with the increase of voltage and decreases with the flow of methane increase; the selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons decreases with the increase of voltage and increases with the flow of methane increase. The selectivity of C₂ hydrocarbons is improved with catalyst for conversion of natural gas to C₂ hydrocarbons in plasma field. Methane molecule collision with radicals is mainly responsible for product formation.     

Experimental Comparison of Methane Pyrolysis in Thermal Plasma

Methane pyrolysis via thermal plasma was investigated experimentally on a 2 kW DC arc plasma setup in argon atmosphere. Two widely applied methane pyrolysis profiles, i.e., pre-mixing methane and argon before fed into plasma torch, and injecting methane into pure argon plasma jet at torch outlet, were compared. Performances of methane pyrolysis regarding to methane conversion, acetylene selectivity, acetylene specific energy requirement (SER), and plasma stability were concluded. Results showed that pre-mixing methane and argon before fed into plasma torch would be efficient in converting methane and acetylene production, with higher conversion of methane and lower SER to acetylene at a given specific energy. Also, methane in arc zone would cause periodic fluctuations of plasma voltage and power, which could be reduced by controlling methane fraction in feed. On the other hand, when methane was injected into argon plasma jet at torch outlet, the energy efficiency in converting methane and producing acetylene would be lower. And the plasma would barely participate in the reaction other than providing heat, but the erosion of electrode was much slower and slighter. It was also validated that the SER of acetylene was limited by the thermal loss of the setup due to size-effect of reactor.     

Activation of methane in microwave plasmas at high pressure

Methane is converted to C2 products in a microwave plasma under pressure up to 400 torr at maximum plasma power of 100 W. Steam is introduced with methane into the plasma zone in order to suppress coke formation. Major products are C2 hydrocarbons. Small amounts of benzene are also formed. Very small amounts of some unusual highly unsaturated hydrocarbons are also formed. Oxygenated products are CO and CO₂. The conversion and yields are related to experimental variables by an empirical second order linear model. The conversion of methane ranges from 10 to 60%. The yield of C2 products ranges from 5 to 68%. The major C2 product is acetylene.     

微波等离子体下甲烷偶联制乙炔的研究

通过优化设计矩形波导谐振腔微波化学反应器,可以大幅提高微波等离子体下甲烷转化率（最高为93．7％）、C2烃收率（最高为91．0％）和乙炔收率（最高为88．6％）．且优化后,在实验的压强范围内,甲烷转化率和C2烃收率较为稳定,C2烃主要是乙炔,其选择性都在90％以上．生成乙炔的能量产率和时空产率也都比较高．利用发射光谱法对微波等离子体下甲烷偶联制乙炔的反应进行了诊断研究,在300nm～750nm波长范围内激发态物种有：CH,C2,H2,Hα-根据反应产物和激发态物种从化学反应热力学和动力学上对反应机理进行了初步探索．     

Conversion of Methane to C2 Hydrocarbons via Cold Plasma Reaction

Direct conversion of methane to C2 hydrocarbons via cold plasma reaction with catalysts has been studied at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Methane can be converted into C2 hydrocarbons in different selectivity depending on the form of the reactor, power of plasma, flow rate of methane, ratio of N2/CH4 and nature of the catalysts. The selectivity to C2 hydrocarbons can reach as high as 98.64%, and the conversion of methane as high as 60% and the yield of C2 hydrocarbons as high as 50% are obtained. Coking can be minimized under the conditions of: proper selection of the catalysts, appropriate high flow rate of inlet methane and suitable ratio of N2 to CH4. The catalyst surface provides active sites for radical recombination.     

Zeolite-Enhanced Plasma Methane Conversion Directly to Higher Hydrocarbons Using Dielectric-Barrier Discharges

A zeolite-enhanced plasma methane conversion with pure methane feed using dielectric-barrier discharges (DBDs) at atmospheric pressure has been conducted. This plasma methane conversion over NaX has led to a selective production of light hydrocarbons. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

有氧气氛下等离子体甲烷偶联反应的研究

近年来,非平衡等离子体应用于甲烷直接转化的研究备受关注,但多数研究工作采用的是低气压下微波或高频放电产生的非平衡等离子体[1－9].在常压下获得非平衡等离子体一般是通过脉冲电晕放电或介质阻挡放电产生的[10,11].Liu等[12]采用电晕放电（非脉冲）研究了CH4＋O2＋He(pCH4=2.03×104Pa,pO2=5.07×103Pa,He平衡)体系的甲烷偶联反应.　　如前文[13]所述,脉冲电晕等离子体是一种新型常压非平衡等离子体,其电子通过上升沿陡峭的窄脉冲电场加速而获得能量（1～20eV）.将其应用于甲烷偶联反应,不仅具有反应条件温和（常温常压）…