Kinetic model analysis of C3H8 plasma for olefin synthesis in microplasma reactors

A kinetic model of propane plasma conversion to valuable olefins (C3H6, C2H4 and C2H2) in a microplasma reactor has been developed at atmospheric pressure. Modelling of the results is presented based on a well stirred reactor model to determine the spatially and time averaged species composition through the solution of balance equations for species, mass, gas and electron energy. Simulation includes a Boltzmann equation solver for dc-field calculation of electron energy distribution function (EEDF) and a reactor model to determine electron energy using power balance on detailed electron-driven kinetics. Results show good agreement between model predictions and experimental measurements. Reaction rate and sensitivity analysis are used to explain the mechanism of selective synthesis of olefins through electron impact and radical reactions in propane plasm