Comparison of dry reforming of methane in low temperature hybrid plasma-catalytic corona with thermal catalytic reactor over Ni/γ-Al2O3

In the current study,the hybrid effect of a corona discharge and γ-alumina supported Ni catalysts in CO2 reforming of methane is investigated.The study includes both purely catalytic operation in the temperature range of 923-1023K,and hybrid catalytic-plasma operation of DC corona discharge reactor at room temperature and ambient pressure.The effect of feed flow rate,discharge power and Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts are studied.When CH4/CO2 ratio in the feed is 1/2,the syngas of low H2/CO ratio at about 0.56 is obtained,which is a potential feedstock for synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons.Although Ni catalyst is only active above 573K,presence of Ni catalysts in the cold corona plasma reactor(T≤523K) shows promising increase in the conversions of methane and carbon dioxide.When Ni catalysts are used in the plasma reaction,H2/CO ratios in the products are slightly modified,selectivity to CO increases whereas fewer by-products such as hydrocarbons and oxygenates are formed.