Nonthermal Plasma Systems

The electric energy consumption was about 0.2 eV/mol H2. The possible role of chain-radical reactions involving H, CH3, and CH2 radicals generated by the plasma is discussed 

The authors demonstrated that this ion-molecular mechanism explains the experimental results from the viewpoints of the process energetics and the reaction kinetics. 

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Several types of nonthermal plasma systems have been reported in the literature for reforming of hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas ... 

The plasma decomposition process is applicable to any hydrocarbon fuel, from methane to heavy hydrocarbons. Similar to oxidative plasma reforming, plasma decomposition processes fall into two major categories thermal and nonthermal plasma systems. 

Okubo, M., Inoue, M., Kuroki, T. et al. (2005) NOx reduction after treatment system using nitrogen nonthermal plasma desorption, IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl. 41, 891-9. 

SET , incineration and plasma arc are very effective at achieving regulatory cleanup standards. However, SET is a nonthermal process, whereas the other processes are thermal. Thermal processes have the potential to produce hazardous by-products such as dioxins. SET does not form dioxins because it is a reduction process. Furthermore, the SET process is a closed system without an exhaust stack. When the SET process is used in soils, residual ammonia remains in the soil. This is typically on the order of 1-3%. Ammonia is a fertilizer which farmers pump (anhydrous) into their fields, so this residue is usually not harmful. 

The classic sources of nonthermal radio emission within the solar system are Jupiter s magnetosphere and the solar corona. Nonthermal radio emissions have also been observed from the Earth s magnetosphere and the other three giant planets, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The emissions from the latter planets can only be observed from spacecraft near the planets. Cyclotron and coherent plasma emission account for much of the low-frequency (<10 MHz) nonthermal emission from these planets and the solar corona. This emission is highly variable and the details of the generation processes involved are not clearly understood. 

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