Relative breakdown voltage and energy deposition in the liquid and gas phase of multiphase hydrocarbon plasmas

Abstract

Pulsed electrical discharges in a gas–liquid mixture deposit energy into both phases. Here, we propose a model to simulate breakdown in multiphase based on experimental data. Furthermore, we estimated breakdown voltage in each phase and then estimated energy deposition in each phase. Discharge in pure liquid showed a highly stochastic nature, having a wide breakdown voltage distribution, while the mean value closely follows a one term power law as a function of gap spacing. When there is external gas injection to the gap, breakdown voltage increased significantly due to charge dissipation on bubble surface. This effect was simulated to predict breakdown voltage in liquid with gas injection at different rates. A multiphase system model was developed to simulate breakdown in the gas–liquid phase. The model is a superposition of power law and Meek criteria physical models for the liquid and gas phases, respectively, with empirically derived coefficients. Energy deposition into each phase was estimated by this model. The gap spacing is the primary factor determining breakdown voltage and energy distribution. In studied conditions, we were able to predict the breakdown voltage and estimate energy deposition into different phases. When the gap and flow rate vary between 2 and 10 mm and flow rate 0–1 LPM, 50%–93% of electrical energy is deposited into the liquid. This model allows for predicting breakdown voltage in a multiphase. Furthermore, it allows for control of the energy distribution among the phases in a multiphase pulsed discharge system.

Greenhouse gas emission reduction and energy impact of electrifying upgraders in refineries using plasma processing technology

“…50 Wang et al also investigated the role of bubble and impurity dynamics in the electrical breakdown and the relative breakdown voltage and energy deposition in the liquid and gas phase of multiphase hydrocarbon plasmas, for in-depth research on hydrocarbon conversion using plasmas. 51,52 While researchers have invented different novel plasma processing technologies for heavy oil upgrading, research on the impact of plasma processing technologies in terms of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, compared to traditional catalytic thermal cracking technologies is non-existent. An LCA has also never been performed for comparing these two technologies and how they t into the entire oil and gas industry, making this paper a rst in the literature.…”

Role of bubble and impurity dynamics in electrical breakdown of dielectric liquids

“…Discharges in the presence of gas bubbles is different from pure liquid discharge in terms of breakdown voltage and electrical energy deposition into each phase. Detailed analysis on how breakdown voltage and electrical energy were distributed into each phase was addressed in our previous paper [9].…”

“…This type of discharge is well controlled since metal balls have constant shape and size, and travel with manageable speed inside the fluids. Another mobile charge carrier could be a gas bubble after gas is injected through an electrode capillary into the liquid [9]. In this case, the liquid is the stationary phase whereas gas bubbles are the moving phase.…”

Controlling Parameters in the Efficiency of Hydrogen Production via Electrification with Multi-Phase Plasma Processing Technology

“…This oil conversion process has higher efficiency and significantly lower GHG emissions than traditional technologies. Wang et al also investigated the role of bubble and impurity dynamics in the electrical breakdown and the relative breakdown voltage and energy deposition in the liquid and gas phase of multiphase hydrocarbon plasmas for in-depth research on hydrocarbon conversion using plasmas [48,49].…”