Development of Hybrid Plasma Simulation of Plasma-Enhanced Catalytic Conversion of Renewable Neutral Gas to Value-Added Petrochemicals

Olefins are the primary feedstocks of important chemical industrial products such as plastic. Currently, the production of olefins is mainly through steam cracking of liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks, which is highly energy intensive. These processes also generate high carbon emissions. For example, 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide is emitted in the processes of producing a ton of ethylene.
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To decarbonize the petrochemical production process, our team at The Pennsylvania State University proposes the method of converting renewable neutral gas, mainly methane, to olefins with the process utilizing non-equilibrium plasma coupled with designed catalysts. The selectivity of different olefins can be achieved by altering operating conditions, catalyst-support formulation, and reactor geometry.