Ammonia decomposition in a dielectric barrier discharge plasma: Insights from experiments and kinetic modeling

Utilizing ammonia as a storage medium for hydrogen is currently receiving increased attention. A possible method to retrieve the by plasma-catalytic decomposition. In this work, we combined an experimental study, using dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor, with kinetic model, get insights into decomposition mechanism. The results revealed similar effect on conversion when changing flow rate and power, where increasing specific energy input (higher power or lower rate) gave conversion. high 82% was achieved at of 18 kJ/Nl. Furthermore, volume from 31 10 cm3, change in distribution factor 0.2 0.1 needed model best describe conversions experiments. This means that smaller caused higher transfer through micro-discharges (non-uniform plasma), which found promote ammonia. These indicate it collisions between NH3 high-energy electrons initiate Moreover, destruction be order 1022 molecules/(cm3 s) during micro-discharges, 5 6 orders magnitude than afterglows. considerable re-formation take place afterglows, limiting overall addition, implementation packing material introduced concentrations surface-bound atoms, additional pathway Eley-Rideal reaction gas phase NH2. more uniform predicted presence MgAl2O4, leads average electron (37%) comparable residence time alone (51%).