Warm Plasma Torch for Hydrocarbon Reforming.

This paper treats over a reforming process using a warm plasma reactor for CH4 and CO2 conversion and hydrogen yield recovering. The conversion of hydrocarbon in syngas is mainly contributed by dissociation and ionization processes. Warm plasma is environment-friendly and autosustainable process; in addition, the electric discharge has low specific energy (SE) requirement and is able to retain enough high temperature to produce excited species and support subsequent chemical reactions. Such plasma discharges have significant advantages: do not require extra cooling systems, since they work with reduced electric current and high voltages, decreasing significantly electrode erosion. Consequently, reactors can be accomplished with a simpler framework and high gas treatment capacity. Plasma interaction with greenhouse gases (GHGs) leads into a molecular dissociation, mainly forming CO and H2, also known as syngas. In recent years, the syngas has become one of the alternative energy sources, which is more profitable and investigated. This mixture, normally recovered from organic material decomposition, provides energy with innovative applications in microturbines and fuel cells, in conjunction with other applications. In addition, an experimental analysis by using pulsed or resonant converter power supply is conducted; this converter enables the maximum energy transfer into plasma discharge without requiring complex electronic structures. Electric analysis was performed to determine instantaneous current, voltage, and power applied in the warm plasma torch for GHG treatment. From the analysis of power consumption, flux flow rate, and other physical chemical characteristics, SE and energy conversion efficiency are obtained. The effect of frequency in voltage–current relationship, depending on the waveform source, is described here. The input and exhaust gases were analyzed by a mass spectrometer and a gas analyzer. A comparison of these results with other results obtained in different bibliographic references is also signaled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]