A comparative study of non-thermal plasma assisted reforming technologies

On board hydrogen production out of hydrocarbons (reforming) for fuel cells feed is subject to problems when used with traditional catalysts. High device weight, a relatively long transient time and poisoning problems make the integration onboard a vehicle complex. In response to these challenges, hydrocarbons reforming processes assisted by non-thermal plasmas for hydrogen production have been implemented over recent 14 years. This paper aims to provide an overview of the setting up, feasibility and efficiency of the existing technologies here investigated. This state-of-the-art technology review explains the key characteristics of plasma reforming through various original approaches. The performances of some of the systems are then compared against each other and discussed. (c) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.