Hydrogen-rich syngas generation through microwave plasma reforming of greenhouse gases

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of a 915 MHz atmospheric pressure microwave torch for bulk syngas or hydrogen generation via noncatalytic greenhouse gas (GHG) reforming and its flexibility regarding the amount of soot formed by the process. The investigation shows that plasma-GHG reforming for mass hydrogen generation is feasible without a catalyst at high gas flow rate and microwave power.The best hydrogen production rate and energy yield were 1672 g (H2)/h and 41.8 g (H2)/kWh, respectively, at 160 lpm gas flow rate and 40 kW microwave power at a CH4/CO2 ratio of 1. The conversion rates of CH4 and CO2 under the same conditions were 95.59% and 95.59%, respectively. The plasma reforming method employed in this study shows its excellent potential for industrial application.