Steam plasma reforming of biogas by non-thermal pulsed discharge

The purpose of this study was to develop technology that can convert biogas to synthesis gas (SynGas), a low emission substituted energy, using a non-thermal pulsed plasma method. To investigate the characteristics of the SynGas production from simulated biogas, the reforming characteristics were studied about the variations of pulse frequency, biogas component ratio (C3H8/CO2), vapor flow ratio (H2O/TFR), biogas velocity and pulse power. A maximum conversion rate of 49.1% was achieved for the biogas when the above parameters were 500 Hz, 1.5, 0.52, 0.32 m/s and 657 W, respectively. Under the above-mentioned reference conditions, the dry basis concentrations of the SynGas were, H-2 64.5%, CH4 8.1%, C2H2 6.7%, C3H6 4.9%, CO 0.8% and C2H4 0.4%. The ratio of hydrogen to the other intermediates in the SynGas (H-2/ITMs) was 3.1.