COST-jet characterization via optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry in carbon dioxide conversion

Abstract Non-thermal plasma conversion of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) has attracted much interest in recent years because it can be operated at low temperatures and under atmospheric pressure. The development of new conversion technologies, comparison with other applied methods, and understanding of complex processes require numerical modeling. A crucial part of modeling is the calculation of the electron impact dissociation. Due to the linear configuration of CO 2 in the ground state and the different multiplicity of products, the dissociation is a complicated process with several sequential stages. Very different electron impact dissociation cross sections can be found in the literature. Using optical emission spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, a radio frequency plasma jet (COST-jet) operated with a He/CO 2 /N 2 gas mixture is characterized and CO 2 conversion along the discharge is simulated. The applied method can help to select a reliable cross section of electron impact dissociation of CO 2 and to determine the probability of heterogeneous recombination.