Conversion of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using nanosecond pulsed discharges
Naoya Sumi1, Takuma Sakamoto1, Yuki Akimoto1, Takao Namihira2, Douyan Wang2, *
* The author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
1 Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Japan
2 Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials, Kumamoto University, Japan
Abstract
Consumption of fossil fuels has led to yearly increases in emissions of CO2, a main component of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. As such, methods to reduce CO2 emissions and treat the emitted CO2 are being researched around the world. One method of interest in treating CO2 is the use of non-thermal equilibrium plasma, which is low in cost and highly efficient. Nanosecond (NS) pulsed power generators with very short voltage durations of 5 ns have recently been developed. Such power generators feature minimal loss of heat and high electron energy. This study examined the characteristics of NS pulsed discharges when used to convert CO2 in order to determine its decomposition and conversion efficiency and compare it with other discharge methods. The effects on the CO2 conversion rate of changing the diameter of the central wire electrode and adding Ar were investigated. It was confirmed that the wire diameter of the central electrode has a significant effect on CO2 decomposition performance because it changes the nature of the discharge itself. A larger central electrode diameter is suitable for higher CO2 conversion rates The addition of Ar had a minimal effect on decomposition performance. A maximum conversion rate of 19.2% was achieved by NS pulsed discharge, indicating the possibility of contributing to the reduction of CO2.
Keywords - Carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), global warming, nanosecond, pulsed discharge.