Application of a Scaled-up Dielectric Barrier Discharge Reactor in the Trace Oxygen Removal in Hydrogen-Rich Gas Mixtures at Ambient and Elevated Pressure

Abstract

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) are frequently utilized in various gas conversion processes. For industrial applications a low flow resistance and scalability are crucial. In this study a tenfold scaled-up reactor based on a surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) was employed for the removal of oxygen traces from H₂/N₂/O₂ gas mixtures. The conversion efficiency of the reactor with ten electrode configurations was investigated for different admixtures of O₂, and high degrees of conversion were observed that decreased with increasing flow rate, but remained constant when raising the pressure to 2 bar(g). A new generator based on silicon carbide field-effect transistors (SiC-FETs) was used and compared to a generator based on classical metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOS-FETs).