Experimental Investigation on the Plasma Decomposition of N-decane Under the Atmospheric Pressure Argon Environment

We experimentally researched the potential of pyrolyzing aviation kerosene by dielectric barrier discharge to increase the H2 selectivity of decomposed products. The decompition experiment of n-decane, the single alternative fuel for aviation kerosene, was carried out under the argon environment with parallel plate dielectric barrier discharge cracker excited by microsecond pulsed power. By changing on-load voltages and discharge frequencies, the concentrations of different components were acquired, the effect of specific input energy on H2 selectivity was analyzed, and part of the reaction paths of plasma decomposition of n-decane was identified. The results demonstrate that, under different conditions, ethylene and H2 have higher concentrations among all products; the concentrations of components increase with the rise of on-load voltage and discharge frequency; the specific input energy influences the H2 selectivity principally through discharge frequency, and furthermore, H2 selectivity will be stronger as discharge frequency increases. © 2019, High Voltage Engineering Editorial Department of CEPRI. All right reserved.