A Numerical Study of the Sour Gas Reforming in a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor

In this paper, using a one-dimensional simulation model, the reforming process of sour gas, i.e. CH4,CO2, and H2S, to the various charged particles and syngas in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)reactor is studied. An electric field is applied across the reactor radius, and thus a non-thermal plasmadischarge is formed within the reactor. Based on the space-time coupled finite element method, thegoverning equations are solved, and the temporal and spatial profiles of different formed chargedspecies from sour gas inside the plasma reactor are verified. It is observed that the electric fieldincreases radially towards the cathode electrode. Moreover, the electron density growth rate at theradial positions closer to the cathode surface is smaller than the one in the anode electrode region.Furthermore, as time progresses, the positive ions density near the anode electrode is higher. Inaddition, the produced syngas density is mainly concentrated in the proximity of anode dielectricelectrode.

Keywords:

Dielectric Barrier Discharge , Sour Gas Reforming , Space-time Coupled FEM