Evaluating the carbon footprint of the integrated DBD-plasma bi-reforming unit via laboratory scale experiments and scaled-up process modeling

Abstract

Catalytic dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor experiments were performed in a tubular glass reactor with a 2 mm gap at 550°C to facilitate the reaction kinetics of steam added dry reforming or bireforming. The best specific energy input obtained was 11.2 eV/molecule feed at CO2:CH4:H2O of 4.5:1:4.5 ratio and gas hour space velocity (GHSV) = 432 h−1. This value was used to design a conceptual process and assess the environmental impact of methane steam reforming-based H2 production 18.4 kmol/h CO2 emission processing into H2:CO = 2 syngas, with an emphasis on the carbon footprint.