Performance analysis of syngas production in a water thermal plasma reactor

Abstract

Water thermal plasma gasification is a promising gasification technology aiming at providing sustainable disposal for various wastes. In this study, thermochemical modeling and optimization of a water thermal plasma reactor is carried out in order to enhance H2 and CO production from propane gasification. The novelty of present study is that the plasma reactor is considered as two connected partially stirred reactors for steam dissociation and propane gasification. Various detailed chemical mechanisms are evaluated against previously published experimental data and thermodynamic results. Influences of important parameters on syngas production, such as argon temperature and flow rate as well as steam and propane flow rates have been studied. It is found that the temperature and flow rate of argon have major impacts on hydrogen production due to changing the concentration of H radicals in the steam dissociation part. In particular, reducing argon temperature by 30% can result in 14% increase in H2 mole fraction. Also, 20% reduction in argon flow rate would increase H2 concentration by 9.5%. The present modeling approach will be useful in further investigations to improve the construction of a plasma reactor and defining best operational conditions for syngas production.