A pure steam microwave plasma torch: Gasification of powdered coal in the plasma

Abstract

Coal gasification was investigated in an atmospheric pressure pure steam plasma torch operated at 2.45GHz microwave. The steam from a generator served a working gas and produced a stable steam plasma torch. The high-temperature steam torch may be used for hydrocarbon fuel reforming at atmospheric pressure. The torch plasma volume was almost linearly proportional to the microwave power. Study of water molecule disintegration and gas temperature effects on the molecular fraction characteristics in steam-plasma of a microwave plasma torch at the atmospheric pressure was carried out. The feasibility test was conducted using the coal plasma burner with information obtained on the gas compositions.