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 923–1023 K, 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 573 K, presence of Ni catalysts in the cold corona plasma reactor (T≤523 K) 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.