Hydrogen production from ammonia using a microwave plasma torch at atmospheric pressure

An electrodeless, catalyst-free microwave (MW) plasma torch has been investigated to produce hydrogen (H 2 ) from ammonia (NH 3 ) dissociation, with NH 3 admixed in nitrogen up to 90 vol.% using a total inlet flow rate of 10 sLm at atmospheric pressure. Conversions beyond 99% are obtained for MW powers between 1 . 50 − 1 . 75 kW . The largest H 2 energy yield ≃ 447 L H 2 kWh − 1 , or lowest energy cost of 25 kWh kg H 2 − 1 , is obtained for 90 vol.% [NH 3 ], which corresponds to outlet concentrations of H 2 and NH 3 around 69 vol.% and below 1 vol.%, respectively. These performances are highly promising for the application of plasma technology for the production of hydrogen from ammonia. • An electrodeless, catalyst-free MW plasma torch is used to produce H 2 from NH 3 • NH 3 conversions above 99% are reported • The lowest energy cost of 25 kWh kg H 2 − 1 is obtained for 90 vol.% NH 3 in N 2 • The maximum H 2 concentration in the outlet of the reactor is around 69 vol.%