Improving Hydrogen Production in Plasma-Assisted Bi-Reforming of Methane: Experimental Study in Rotating Gliding Arc Plasma Reactor

Abstract This research examines how different flow regimes transient, and turbulent affect the electrical and optical properties and Hydrogen production of Bi reforming of methane (CO 2 /CH 4 /H 2 O) in a rotating gliding arc (RGA) reactor. The f arc parameter was measured using a high-speed camera and Fast Fourier Transform voltage analysis. Optical Emission Spectroscopy captured the RGA’s visible emission spectrum, while the rotational temperature was determined via C 2 Swan band analysis using SPECAIR. Gas Chromatography with thermal conductivity detector and flame Ionization Detector determined the product gas composition. Different operating parameters, including the RGA swirl hole diameter (1 mm), steam to carbon (S/C) ratios (0.33 and 0.66), and flow rates varying from 6.7 to 40 SLPM, were tested to improve H 2 and CO production. At 6.7 SLPM with S/C 0.33 , maximum H 2 and CO production was 3.4% and 4.2% while at 8 SLPM with S/C 0.66 maximum H 2 and CO production was 3.9% and 5%. Increasing Q to 37.5 SLPM with S/C 0.33 reduced H 2 and CO production to 0.7%, and 1.7% while at 40 SLPM and S/C0.66, H 2 and CO production reduced to 0.8% and 2.0%, due to lower residence time. These findings are essential for scaling up and optimizing the RGA reactor for H 2 production.