Decomposition Characteristics of an Artificial Biogas in a Low‐Pressure DC Glow Discharge

Abstract

SUMMARYThe decomposition characteristics of an artificial biogas, which is a mixture of CH 4 , CO 2 , and H 2 S, using a low-pressure DC glow discharge have been investigated. It is found that H 2 , CO, C 2 H 2 , H 2 O, CS 2 , and COS are produced from the artificial biogas in the glow discharge. About 65% of the hydrogen atoms in CH 4 are converted into H 2 at an input energy of 800 J, at which CH 4 is completely decomposed, and the decomposition characteristics of the artificial biogas are minimally dependent on the H 2 S additive. Further, H 2 S has a tendency to be decomposed earlier than the other components of the artificial biogas. When the glow discharge is generated in the artificial biogas with H 2 S, some of the carbon atoms are found to deposit on the electrodes and the wall of the discharge chamber.

Desulfurization of Biogas via Dielectric Barrier Discharges

“…6 illustrates the development of the CH 4 concentration in a biogas mixture versus the pulse repetition rates, i.e., frequencies, and peak voltages. A depletion of CH 4 , e.g., via oxidation or polymerization 14, 15, was not detected but rather a minor increase in CH 4 content was found. Though results are very noisy, the data gives the impression of a linear dependence on the repetition rate, which corresponds to the energy transferred to the gas stream.…”

“…A possible decomposition of methane is disadvantageous for gas purification purposes 14, but this can easily occur in a plasma discharge, e.g., via oxidation or polymerization 15. Nevertheless, plasma discharges have been proven to be promising for the conditioning of biomethane by Sekine and co‐workers 16.…”