Effect of ambient condition for coaxial dielectric barrier discharge reactor on CO2 reforming of CH4 to syngas

A coaxial dielectric barrier discharge reactor was used for the CO2 reforming of CH4 to syngas. The reactor was operated under two ambient conditions for comparison, namely, immersion in electrical insulating oil and total exposure in an air ambient. Immersion of the reactor in insulating oil increased the electrical power efficiency into the generation of plasma discharge due to the prevention of micro-arcing on the reactor surface. Operation in the insulating oil bath showed higher conversion and selectivity of major reactants and products rate than operation in an air ambient.