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

• Published in: Plasma chemistry and plasma processing 2019-03, Vol.39 (2), p.445-459
• Main Authors: Kheirollahivash, Mahsa, Rashidi, Fariborz, Moshrefi, Mohammad Mahdi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angular velocity; Carbon; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Classical Mechanics; Conversion; Decomposition reactions; Electrodes; Elongation; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; High voltages; Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Hydrogen-based energy; Inorganic Chemistry; Mechanical Engineering; Methane; Organic chemistry; Original Paper; Plasma; Three dimensional motion
• ISSN: 0272-4324; 1572-8986
• DOI: 10.1007/s11090-018-9950-y

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. The novel configuration led to the 3-dimensional movement of plasma zone in the axial and angular directions as well as arc elongation. The effect of arc elongation and movement at various angular velocities of high voltage electrode was investigated on the reactor performance in terms of methane conversion, hydrogen yield, and energy yield. In addition, the influence of fluid flow direction was considered. Methane conversion of 47% and hydrogen production rate of 132.7 ml/min with the energy yield of 36.8 g/kWh were achieved at stable operating conditions. The deposition rate of carbon was 35 mg/min which had a graphite-like structure. A reaction pathway is proposed according to reaction path analysis in order to interpret the underlying plasma chemical process.