Plasma-controlled chemistry in plasma reforming of methane

Plasma is receiving attention as a prospective tool for the reforming process of obtaining synthesis gas and hydrogen. Although many reports on plasma-induced reforming have been introduced, detailed correlations between the reaction paths and plasma parameters remain unclear. Therefore, to figure out the relative role and dominance of plasma-controlled chemistry in the reforming process, we investigate diverse reaction paths in reforming CH4. The arc column length is proposed as a universal process parameter of the plasma-reforming process, and a rationale to support the proposition is provided As a result, the dependence of the reforming process on the arc column length is explained. Three different reaction regimes, defined according to the arc column length and plasma chemistry in each regime, are addressed. The arc column length controls the thermal environment of the reaction and activates different reaction pathways depending on its length. This concept of control also enables the discovery of efficient ways of reforming. The increase in thermal efficiency by controlling the arc column reveals possibilities for optimizing the plasma-induced reforming process. (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.