DC Thermal Plasma Design and Utilization for the Low Density Polyethylene to Diesel Oil Pyrolysis Reaction

Thermal plasma pyrolysis is a powerful technology for converting waste or low-value materials to valuable gaseous hydrocarbons. This paper presents for the first time the hydropyrolysis of n-hexane and toluene in a rotating-arc plasma reactor. Effects of the mole ratio of H/C in the feed, power input and magnetic induction were investigated to evaluate the reaction performance. A lower H/C ratio could lead to a lower yield of C 2 H 2 and lower specific energy consumption, and there existed an optimum range of power input for both n-hexane and toluene pyrolysis within the investigated range. The yield of C 2 H 2 in n-hexane and toluene pyrolysis could reach 85% and 68%, respectively, with respective specific energy consumption (SEC) of 13.8 kWh/kg·C 2 H 2 and 19.9 kWh/kg·C 2 H 2 . Compared with the results reported in literature, the rotating-arc plasma process showed higher C 2 H 2 yield and lower energy consumption, which is attributed to the better initial mixing of the reactant with the hot plasma gas and the more uniform temperature distribution.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydropyrolysis of n-Hexane and Toluene to Acetylene in Rotating-Arc Plasma

Zhang

et al. 2017

“…Insulating oil as the main insulating material can guarantee the normal operation of the transformer [1]. Thermal faults are a common factor in destroying the insulating properties of insulating oil during transformer operation [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studies on a Thermal Fault Simulation Device and the Pyrolysis Process of Insulating Oil

Wang

Wang³

et al. 2018

In order to analyze the composition of pyrolysis products of insulating oil at different thermal fault levels, this paper proposes a thermal fault simulator device for oil-filled equipment. This device simulates different thermal fault levels by changing the heat source temperature, provides the real pressure environment by using a closed container and analyzes the composition of the insulation products by chromatographic analysis methods. By analyzing the temperature and velocity of flow distributions, it is proved that the fault simulator results are consistent with the actual results. The influence of heat source energy on the pyrolysis reaction of insulating oil is also discussed. The obtained results show that the correlation coefficient between pyrolysis product and heat source energy reaches 0.978. As a result, a multivariate nonlinear energy calculation model is presented to establish the relationship between the complete reaction process and energy. By calculating the energy absorbed by different products during the reaction, it can be found that the decomposition of alkanes absorbs a large amount of energy at the initial stage of pyrolysis, which corresponds to low temperature overheating fault. When the pyrolysis reaction continues, dehydrogenation occupies the leading role, which corresponds to high temperature overheating fault. This can be used as an effective basis for distinguishing fault levels according to the corresponding relationship between energy and fault level.

“…This allows for the production of hydrocarbons with a higher added value, e.g., fuel oils and petrochemical feedstocks. Thermal plasmas can be used as well for diesel fuel production from thermoplastics (see, e.g., Gabbar et al [103]). A DC non-transferred low thermal plasma (270 W) was used in the range of 625 • C to 860 • C for conversion of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) into diesel oil [103].…”

Section: Plasma For Waste Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thermal plasmas can be used as well for diesel fuel production from thermoplastics (see, e.g., Gabbar et al [103]). A DC non-transferred low thermal plasma (270 W) was used in the range of 625 • C to 860 • C for conversion of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) into diesel oil [103]. This work was conducted in a lab-scale pyrolysis reactor.…”

Section: Plasma For Waste Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of Electric Field Applications in Energy and Process Engineering

Zigan

2018

Heat and mass transfer as well as chemical reactions in technical processes can be enhanced by using electric fields. This paper provides an overview of current fundamental and applied research as well as potential technical applications of electric fields in energy and process engineering. This includes electrosprays, technical combustors as well as electrochemical reforming and plasma gasification of waste or biomass. Other emerging fields are plasma technologies for treatment of water, surfaces and gases including flue gases. In particle or aerosol-laden flows, plasmas are used to promote particle nucleation and surface growth for controlled nanomaterial synthesis. Furthermore, non-invasive diagnostics based on electromagnetic fields and electric fluid properties are relevant techniques for online control and optimization of technical processes. Finally, an overview of laser-based techniques is provided for studying electro-hydrodynamic effects, temperature, and species concentrations in plasma and electric-field enhanced processes.