• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.362-370
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• 2006

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the reforming characteristics and optimum operating condition of the plasmatron assisted $CH_4$ reforming reaction for the hydrogen-rich gas production. Also, in order to increase the hydrogen production and the methane conversion rate, parametric screening studies were conducted, in which there were the variations of the $CH_4$ flow ratio, $CO_2$ flow ratio, vapor flow ratio, mixing flow ratio and catalyst addition in reactor. High temperature plasma flame was generated by air and arc discharge. The air flow rate and input electric power were fixed 5.1 l/min and 6.4 kW, respectively. When the $CH_4$ flow ratio was 38.5%, the production of hydrogen was maximized and optimal methane conversion rate was 99.2%. Under these optimal conditions, the following synthesis gas concentrations were determined: $H_2$, 45.4%; CO, 6.9%; $CO_2$, 1.5%; and $C_2H_2$, 1.1%. The $H_2/CO$ ratio was 6.6, hydrogen yield was 78.8% and energy conversion rate was 63.6%.