H2 Production from NH3 in a BaTiO3 Moderated Ferroelectric Packed-Bed Plasma Reactor

Plasma decomposition reactions are used for various gas phase chemical processes including the decomposition of ammonia. In this work we show that pure ammonia can be effectively decomposed at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature using a packed-bed plasma reactor moderated with BaTiO₃ ferroelectric pellets without catalyst. The decomposition rate and energy efficiency of this ferroelectric barrier discharge reactor have been monitored as a function of applied voltage (up to a maximum value of 2.5 kV) and flow rate. For each operating condition reaction efficiencies have been correlated with the parameters defining the electrical response of the reactor. It is found that plasma current and volume inside the reactor and hence the energy efficiency of the process and the decomposition rate vary with the applied voltage and the flow of ammonia (a maximum decomposition rate of 14% and an energy efficiency of 150 LH₂/kWh has been determined under optimized operation conditions). The role of back reactions (i.e. N₂ + 3H₂ → 2NH₃) in decreasing reactor performance is another key effect affecting the overall efficiency for the ammonia decomposition. The possibilities of ferroelectric barrier discharge reactors to induce the decomposition of ammonia and the importance of keeping the operating temperature below the Curie temperature of the ferroelectric material are highlighted.