Plasma catalytic ammonia synthesis in a fluidized-bed DBD reactor over M/Al2O3: Enhancement of plasma-catalyst surface interaction

Abstract

Ammonia is a promising alternative energy to fossil fuels for reducing CO₂ emissions. Plasma catalysis technology for ammonia production using clean energy is gaining attention. Introducing catalysts to the plasma increases ammonia synthesis rates, but the effect of catalyst particle movement in the plasma region, such as in a fluidized-bed reactor, is less explored. The study investigates plasma catalytic ammonia synthesis using fluidized-bed and fixed-bed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactors with M/Al₂O₃ (M = Co, Ru, Ru-Co) catalysts. Results show the ammonia synthesis rate in the fluidized-bed DBD reactor was significantly higher than in the fixed-bed DBD reactor. This intensified plasma discharge substantially increased ammonia production. The dynamic movement of catalyst particles in the fluidized-bed reactor enhanced the plasma-surface interaction, thereby accelerating the interaction with reactive species and promoting ammonia synthesis. This research provides insights into reactor design and catalyst packing for plasma catalytic ammonia synthesis.

Keywords: Ammonia synthesis; Dielectric barrier discharge plasma; Dynamic movement of the catalyst; Fluidized-bed reactor; Plasma catalysis.