Catalyst‐enhanced plasma oxidation of n‐butane over α‐MnO2 in a temperature‐controlled twin surface dielectric barrier discharge reactor

• Published in: Plasma processes and polymers 2021-04, Vol.18 (4), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Peters, Niklas, Schücke, Lars, Ollegott, Kevin, Oberste‐Beulmann, Christian, Awakowicz, Peter, Muhler, Martin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; catalysis; Catalysts; Coated electrodes; coatings; Conversion; Dielectric barrier discharge; dielectric barrier discharges; Flux density; Manganese dioxide; Oxidation; Plasma; Selectivity; volatile organic compounds
• ISSN: 1612-8850; 1612-8869
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.202000127

A twin surface dielectric barrier discharge is used for the catalyst‐enhanced plasma oxidation of 300 ppm n‐butane in synthetic air. Plasma‐only operation results in the conversion of n‐butane into CO and CO2. Conversion is improved by increasing the temperature of the feed gas, but selectivity shifts to undesired CO. α‐MnO2 is used as a catalyst deposited on the electrodes by spray coating with a distance of 1.5 mm between the uncoated grid lines and the square catalyst patches to prevent the inhibition of plasma ignition. The catalyst strongly influences selectivity, reaching 40% conversion and 73% selectivity to CO2 at a specific energy density of 390 J·L−1 and 140°C, which is far below the onset temperature of thermocatalytic n‐butane conversion. A twin surface dielectric barrier discharge is used for the catalyst‐enhanced plasma oxidation of 300 ppm n‐butane in synthetic air. Conversion is improved by increasing the temperature of the feed gas, but selectivity shifts in favor of undesired CO. Spray‐coated electrodes with a distance of 1.5 mm between the uncoated grid lines and the square α‐MnO2 catalyst patches strongly influence the selectivity in favor of CO2. The same conversion of 40% is reached with 73% selectivity to CO2 at 390 J·L−1 and 140°C far below the onset temperature of thermocatalytic n‐butane conversion.