Co2 Reduction by Multiple Low Energy Electric Discharges in Microstructured Reactor: Experiments and Modeling

Abstract

The simple, robust, and energy-efficient reduction of CO 2 to useful products is a significant goal of modern chemistry and chemical engineering. In this study, a novel CO 2 reduction process was introduced by employing multiple low energy non-thermal electric glow discharges at the microscale. The process is neither dependent on limited lifetime catalysts nor consumable chemicals, enabling continuous operation over long periods, and operates at atmospheric pressure and temperature, thus simplifying process implementation. The influence of three parameters on the conversion of CO 2 within the active volume and energy efficiency was studied, namely the relative operational regimes on the V-I curve, the residence time of the reactant gas mixture in the plasma region, and the CO 2 to water vapor molar ratio. High energy efficiencies of 80~95% and CO 2 conversion of up to 40% can be achieved. A mathematical model reflecting geometry and flow conditions inside the microreactor was developed to simulate the chemical reaction process. Through an optimization process, the mathematical model parameters were determined to fit the experimental data and predict primary reaction constants for CO 2 reduction.

Keywords: CO2 reduction, DC discharge, Microreaction