Hydrogen Production from Methane in Atmospheric Non-Equilibrium Plasma

The instability of supplied power is a serious problem for chemical plants in developing countries. An easy start-up/shut-down system is important in this situation. The present report describes a hydrocarbon decomposition system using nonequilibrium plasma for hydrogen production. A microwave oven was used as a preliminary microwave reactor, which contained a quartz glass tube that passed through the top panel to the bottom panel of the microwave oven. Argon and methane flow were directed into the reactor, where the argon gas became plasma in the tube. A carbon stick was set in the tube as the excitation material of argon to plasma. Initially, the reaction was conducted under a methane partial pressure of 200 hPa. The main products were hydrogen and acetylene, with a small amount of ethylene also produced. Conversion and yields decreased with increasing methane partial pressure. Hydrogen production rate initially increased with methane partial pressure, but then decreased. The optimum methane partial pressure was determined. Gas flow rate had no effect on conversion or yield. The reactant and products reached an equilibrium state as soon as the reactant was introduced to the plasma. Pure hydrogen, 95%, was obtained by adjusting the experimental conditions.