(1a) Applications of Non-Equilibrium Plasmas for Plasma-Chemical Fuel Conversion And Hydrogen Production

This talk will give a general overview of the applications of non-equilibrium plasmas used for the conversion of various hydrocarbon fuels into synthesis gas. Non-equilibrium plasmas have the advantage of operating at lower gas temperatures while stimulating vibrationally and electronically excited species which are used as chain carriers in many reacting flow situations. This is the basis of the so-called plasma-catalytic effect that is observed when combining plasmas with fuel conversion reactions. There are many types of non-equilibrium plasmas used in fuel conversion processes; however, the simplest and most effective discharge is a gliding discharge, commonly known as gliding arc. The Gliding Arc discharge is a high energy density transitional plasma with moderate gas temperatures (2500-4000K) that is capable of providing high productivity while maintaining good chemical selectivity. The Gliding discharge plasma has relatively low current (<0.5A) and is considered a ?warm? non-thermal plasma that is much like a glow discharge where cathode processes are controlled by secondary electron emission. Applications of Gliding arc discharges include partial oxidation of heavy hydrocarbons, biomass, and coal to syn-gas, steam reforming of methane to syn-gas, and H2S dissociation.

The Drexel Plasma Institute has been working in collaboration with others to produce synthesis gas using non-equilibrium gliding discharge in a reverse vortex flow (?tornado?) reactor. The plasma reformer could be combined with an integrated system that utilizes syn-gas for direct use in a solid oxide fuel cell for onboard conversion liquid fuels into electricity. This integrated system can be thought of as an advanced power generator that can satisfy electrical needs in remote areas where only hydrocarbon fuel sources are available. This system has applications in the transportation industry (long-haul trucking) and could have many potential military applications.