Methane partial oxidation in non thermal plasma at atmospheric pressure

Low current intensity stationary discharges at atmospheric pressure were investigated in GREMI laboratory for different applications such as bio-syngas production (from biomass) or hydrocarbon and alcohol steam reforming. Main stationary discharge interest is a stable reactive plasma volume allowing reproducible experimental results and easy implementation of electrical and chemical diagnostics. Stationary electrical discharge for CH₄ partial oxidation or CH₄ steam reforming was recently investigated and experimental results were discussed. The CH₄-air and/or water treatment by such a non-thermal plasma leads to syngas production with various H₂, CO, CO₂ and C₂-hydrocarbon mole fractions. The laboratory scale plasma reactor performance is presented in terms of efficiency expressed by using mass flow rates and low heating values of the species. A specific discussion is developed to conclude about applications of such a technique.