Dry Reforming of Methane by DC Spark Discharge with a Rotating Electrode

A novel type of plasma reactor having a rotating electrode is proposed for CO₂ reforming of methane without catalyst at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Results indicated that employing rotating ground electrode leads to a stable discharge for any period of time. Effects of feed composition, feed flow rate, applied power and electrodes separation on the carbon dioxide and methane conversions as well as the products selectivity were investigated. Increasing CO₂/CH₄ molar ratio in the feed favors the reagents conversion and consequently promotes the formation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. If the target product is hydrogen, it is proposed to operate the reactor at CO₂/CH₄ = 1 molar ratio and if the target product is carbon monoxide then CO₂/CH₄ = 3 molar ratio is the preferred option for feed composition. This reactor system has advantages of stable operation and high conversion ability. Also, the obtained syngas with flexible molar ratio of H₂ to CO is suitable for vast industrial applications.     

Hydrogen Production from Methane Decomposition Using a Mobile and Elongating Arc Plasma Reactor

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing - Hydrogen and solid carbon were produced through methane decomposition in a plasma reactor with a parallel set of screw type helix and rod-like electrodes....     

Methane Conversion to Hydrogen and Carbon Black by DC-Spark Discharge

A continuous production of hydrogen and carbon black from methane without CO₂ emission in atmospheric pressure has been investigated by non thermal decomposition of methane using a system of direct current (DC)-spark discharge plasma, which has great advantages over other systems, like thermal plasma or catalytic conversion of methane in H₂ production. A plasma reactor with specific design of electrodes was employed to examine the reactor performance regarding operating conditions such as feed flow rate, input power and electrodes distance. The experimental results showed that designed reactor increases not only the concentration of the produced hydrogen in continues condition but also guarantees stable plasma. As the methane supply rate increased, the hydrogen concentration decreased but on the other hand the hydrogen volume flow rate increased. In general, under the specified operating condition (power?=?21 W and methane flow rate?=?150?ml/min), the plasma converter produced a hydrogen concentration of 45?% at hydrogen volume flow rate of 75?ml/min.