Computational Fluid Dynamic study of gas mixtures in a Non-Thermal Plasma reactor for CO2 conversion

CO2 utilization has been an emerging technology of increasing global interest due to its direct impact in limiting greenhouse gas emissions. In this contribution, the fluid dynamic behavior of a CO2 conversion nonthermal plasma (NTP) in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor is studied through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Calculations are provided in conjunction with experimental results and the thermodynamic characterization of the compounds and mixtures involved. This CFD study utilizes a well-established methodology that allows the optimization of fluid flow with limited computational burden. Firstly, results are presented for an Example Case, in which several variables are studied both at the final iteration as well as across iterations. Secondly, a range of Study Cases, changing the inlet composition and volume rate, are presented. Average velocity is one of the most significant variables to predict the reactor's yield, while the temperature, density and pressure in the reactor remain, in most cases, almost constant. The resulting CFD computations describe the behavior of the fluids in the reactor in a predictive manner for future experimental results. Limitations in the fluid's characterization occur due to not explicitly including the plasma reaction, which will be aimed at in future contributions.