Synthesis Gas Production from CO2-Containing Natural Gas by Combined Steam Reforming and Partial Oxidation in an AC Gliding Arc Discharge

In this study, a technique of combining steam reforming with partial oxidation of CO2-containing natural gas in a gliding arc discharge plasma was investigated. The effects of several operating parameters including: hydrocarbons (HCs)/O-2 feed molar ratio; input voltage; input frequency; and electrode gap distance; on reactant conversions, product selectivities and yields, and power consumptions were examined. The results showed an increase in either methane (CH4) conversion or synthesis gas yield with increasing input voltage and electrode gap distance, whereas the opposite trends were observed with increasing HCs/O-2 feed molar ratio and input frequency. The optimum conditions were found at a HCs/O-2 feed molar ratio of 2/1, an input voltage of 14.5 kV, an input frequency of 300 Hz, and an electrode gap distance of 6 mm, providing high CH4 and O-2 conversions with high synthesis gas selectivity and relatively low power consumptions, as compared with the other processes (sole natural gas reforming, natural gas reforming with steam, and combined natural gas reforming with partial oxidation).