Thermal Plasma Systems

Schematics of thermal plasma reformer for decomposition of methane to hydrogen and carbon. 1 = Thermal plasma reactor, 2 = graphite electrodes, and 3 = hydrogen-carbon separation unit (cyclone). 

Thermal plasma-assisted decomposition (cracking) of heavy hydrocarbons is reported in Ref. 141. Decomposition of paraffinic hydrocarbons including C16H34 by Ar-H2 plasma was carried out by continuous injection of the hydrocarbon in the spouted-bed reactor. Controlling temperature, residence time, and H2 concentration allows reaching the 

The experimental results obtained from the plasma fluidized-bed cracking device were in an agreement with the theoretical predictions taking into account the role of reactive species produced by the plasma. 

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A thermal plasma system has been developed for the decomposition of methane. A schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. The system consists primarily of D.C. plasma torch, plasma reactor and filter assembly. Plasma was discharged between a tungsten cathode and a copper anode using N2 gas. All the experiments were carried out at atmospheric pressure at 6 kW input electric power and N2 flow rate of 10 to 12 1/min. The feed gas (CH4) flow rates were varied from 3 to 15 1/min depending on the operating conditions, shown in Table. 1. 

Direct thermal decomposition of methane was carried out, using a thermal plasma system which is an environmentally favorable process. For comparison, thermodynamic equilibrium compositions were calculated by software program for the steam reforming and thermal decomposition. In case of thermal decomposition, high purity of the hydrogen and solidified carbon can be achieved without any contaminant. 

The plasma process on an industrial scale is a quite sophisticated and know-how packed technological system. The target applications of the thermal plasma systems presently are ... 

Contrary to the above mentioned technologies, which are based on arc plasma furnaces, a radiofrequency (RF) plasma system can process fine powders without granulation in a continuous operation. This possibility, together with the advantageous features of the thermal plasmas mentioned above, offer great perspectives for the synthesis of special ceramic powders such as spinel ferrites [5]. The RF plasma treatment produces nanosized metal and/or oxide powders depending on the parameters of processing. In this paper application of an RF thermal plasma system for the treat-... 

Thermodynamic Functions of Quasi-Equilibrium Thermal Plasma Systems... 

CO2 dissociation was investigated in numerous thermal and non-thermal plasma systems. The most critical point in the experiments was the maximization of the energy efficiency of the process (5-1), r], determined by the ratio of the dissociation enthalpy AH = 2.9eV/mol to the actual energy cost Eco of one CO molecule produced in a plasma system ... 

Oxidation of HCI is practically important for the prodnction of molecnlar chlorine and has been investigated in both thermal and non-thermal plasma systems ... 

One of the most cmcial reqnirements for the plasma conversion of methane into acetylene is improvement of its energy efficiency or, in other words, rednction of the energy cost for acetylene prodnction. The lowest energy cost achieved in thermal plasma systems is... 

Co-Production of Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) and Acetylene (C2H2) from Methane and Nitrogen in Thermal Plasma Systems... 

The RO2 peroxide radicals formed on the polymer surface by treatment in non-thermal plasma systems are able to initiate different important chemical surface processes. The... 

Table 10-14. Direct Coal Pyrolysis with Production of Acetylene in Different Thermal Plasma Systems Based on Arc Discharges in Hydrogen...

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