Study on CH4 dry reforming process by high power inductively coupled plasma torch at atmospheric pressure

Abstract

CO2 dissociation and CH4 dry reforming, by high power inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch at atmospheric pressure, have been studied. At a frequency of 400 kHz and power of 30 kW, the ICP torch source dissociates CO2 gas directly, causing CH4 dry reforming. The resulting products are composed of syngas, C2H6, C2H4, and C2H2. The results show conversion efficiencies (CE) for both CO2 and CH4 of 95%. At an input power of 22 kW, a CO2 flow rate of 30 SLM, and a CH4 flow rate of 36 SLM, the energy conversion efficiency (ECE) is 57%. As input CH4 flow rate increases, the selectivity of CO and H2 decreases and that of C-2 hydrocarbons increases. In this condition, ECE increases. As a result, the high CE of CO2 and CH4, the large amount of products, and the high selectivity of C-2 hydrocarbons can be seen as important factors for achieving higher energy conversion efficiency in the CH4 dry reforming process. The associated chemical reactions are simulated using CHEMKIN-PRO tool, and the results illustrate the tendency of CE to vary with variations in selected parameters, and syngas and C-2 hydrocarbons production trends achieved in the simulation agree with experimental results.