Hydrogen Fuel Production from Propane in Gliding Arc Discharge

Reforming characteristics and optimal operating condition for hydrogen-rich gas production were studied by using gliding arc plasma with a catalytic reactor. Parametric screening studies were carried out for variations of the following variables: vapor flow ratio, CO₂ flow ratio, reactant flow rate and input electric power. When these variables were 0.65, 0.14, 14 L/min and 1.37 kW, respectively, the production of hydrogen-rich gas was maximized with an optimal propane conversion rate of 62.6-. Under these optimal conditions, the following syngas concentrations were determined: H₂, 44.4%; CO, 18.2%; CH₄, 11.2%; C₂H₂, 2.7%; C₃H₆, 1.9%; C₂H₄, 0.6%; and C₃H₄, 0.4%. The carbon dioxide conversion rate was 29.2% and the H₂/CO ratio was 2.4.