Production of hydrogen via conversion of hydrocarbons using a microwave plasma

Abstract

In this paper, results of hydrogen production from hydrocarbons in the atmospheric pressure microwave plasma are presented. As sources of hydrogen, both methane CH 4 and tetrafluoroethane C 2 H 2 F 4 were tested. A new waveguide-based nozzleless cylindertype microwave plasma source was used to convert hydrocarbons into hydrogen. The processed gaseous hydrocarbons were introduced to the plasma by four gas ducts which per kWh of microwave energy absorbed by the plasma, respectively. These parameters are better than our previous results when nitrogen was used as a swirl gas and much better than those typical for other plasma methods of hydrogen production (electron beam, gliding arc, plasmatron).

Microwave plasma emerging technologies for chemical processes

“…Herein, certain processes should be acknowledged due to the notably good performance shown in MWP reactors. As reported by Jasinski et al . H 2 generation via plasma‐assisted dry reforming of methane can be carried out at a specific energy consumption of ∼3 kWh m −3 H 2 and a H 2 generation cost ∼2.3 $ kg −1 H 2 (assuming 0.06 $ kWh −1 ).…”

Methane conversion using a dielectric barrier discharge reactor at atmospheric pressure for hydrogen production

“…The use of this kind of plasma technology leads to improvements in the energy efficiency of dry reforming by the increase of the electron density in the gliding arc plasma. Jasiński et al [27][28][29][30] investigated atmospheric pressure microwave plasma to produce hydrogen by using CH 4 or a CH 4 /gas mixture and they concluded that their plasma method for hydrogen generation is better than those used by others such as electron beam, gliding arc, plasmatron. Horng et al [31] used a small plasma converter to generate hydrogen and it was shown that under the optimal operating conditions, the plasma converter produced a maximum hydrogen concentration of 48%.…”

Plasma‐based liquefaction of methane: The road from hydrogen production to direct methane liquefaction

“…The advantage of (non‐thermal) plasmas is that the gas can be “activated” by electron impact excitation, ionization, and dissociation reactions, instead of the need for heating the entire reactor. Several types of plasmas have already been used for the conversion of methane, including dielectric barrier discharges (DBD), microwave discharges, glow discharges, coronas, sparks, gliding arcs, radio frequency (RF) plasmas, and thermal plasmas …”