Andrei Samokhin

System optimization and cost analysis of plasma catalytic reforming of natural gas

Abstract Plasma reforming could provide advantages in hydrocarbon reforming especially in small-to-medium-scale plants and in plants with fast transients. The combination of a thermal plasma reformer operating in partial oxidation mode with a catalyst bed will be described. Reduced concentrations of CO (1–3% vol) can be achieved, with high hydrogen yields and minimal plasmatron electrical power requirements. A model for the cost of hydrogen production from natural gas has been developed. The model includes hydrogen cleanup utilizing a conventional pressure swing adsorption unit. The model uses experimentally determined conversion yields and operational parameters. The conditions that result in system optimization and cost minimization have been determined.

Production of hydrogen rich gas in compact plasma reformers

Hydrogen rich gas produced in compact plasma reformers could be efficiently used for different mobile and stationary applications such as fuel cells, additives to lean burn gasoline engines and emission control. A compact plasma reformer is necessary to provide suitable fuel gas to the fuel cell for auxiliary power units (APU) of long distance trucks. Long distance truck runs typically include rest periods of between 6-8 hours per day. Fuel cells offer a high-efficiency, low emission, and low-noise alternative that would supplant the need for truck engine idle. A new type of plasma reformer developed for this purpose will be presented. Developing a diesel vehicle that meets the new emissions standards will require more than a 90% reduction in NOx over the next few years. A compact plasma reformer producing hydrogen rich gas could be used in a diesel exhaust aftertreatment process, HC- SCR (selective catalytic reduction), that includes NOx reduction by a mixture of hydrogen and hydrocarbons. The results of diesel engine tests using this technology will be discussed. The use of hydrogen rich gas as NOx reduction agent leads to significant (>50%) increase in NOx reduction efficiency compared to HC-SCR based on raw diesel fuel.