Syngas Production Using Gliding Arc Plasma

Abstract

Reforming characteristics and optimal operating condition for the syngas (synthesis gas) production were studied by using gliding arc plasma with catalytic reactor. Parametric screening studies were carried out for the variations of vapor flow ratio, CO₂ flow ratio, input electric power, and reactant flow rate. When the vapor flow ratio, CO₂ flow ratio, reactant flow rate, and input electric power were 0.65, 0.14, 14 L/min, and 1.37 kW respectively, the production of hydrogen and propane conversion rate showed the optimal levels as 62.6%. Under these optimal conditions, the concentrations of the syngas were as follows: H₂ 44.4%, CO 18.2%, CH₄ 11.2%, C₂ H₂ 2.7%, C₃ H₆ 1.9%, C₂ H₄ 0.6%, and C₃ H₄ 0.4%. Also, the conversion rate of carbon dioxide was 29.2% and H₂/CO ratio was 2.4.

Keywords:

• gliding arc
• hydrogen production
• non-thermal plasma
• propane reforming
• synthesis gas

Acknowledgment

This research was conducted with a grant from the Korea Science Foundation (No. R01-2006-000-10355-0) with funds provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2006.

Notes

^a TFR: Total flow rate (L/min), i.e., C ₃ H ₈ + CO ₂ + H ₂ O.

^b Calculated by Eq. (11).