Catalytic DBD plasma approach for methane partial oxidation to methanol under ambient conditions

Abstract CuO/γ-Al2O3 promoted partial oxidation of methane to methanol was carried out in a non-thermal plasma DBD reactor operating under ambient conditions. The catalysts were synthesized by wet impregnation method, characterized systematically and tested for a single step methane partial oxidation to methanol under ambient conditions. Typical results highlighted the complementary effect of plasma and catalyst, where integration of catalyst in plasma zone improved both conversion of methane and selectivity to methanol. The influence of specific input energy and feed gas composition was studied and the intermediate species formed in plasma catalytic reaction was monitored by an optical emission spectroscopy. The best CH3OH selectivity of ˜37% was achieved over 5 CA catalyst against the ˜27% CH3OH selectivity with plasma system. The improved performance of the hybridized system was asserted due to high charge deposition and modified gas phase chemistry due to catalyst integration.