Naphtha Cracking through Pulsed DBD Plasma Reactor

In this present, conversion of a model refinery cut (Naphtha) in a novel pulsed DBD plasma reactor was investigated in laboratory scale using unipolar pulsed high voltage power source. Continuous hydrocarbons cracking and instant generation of light hydrocarbons (C1–C3 like CH4, C2H4, C2H6 and C3H6,) and H2 were studied at room temperature and atmospheric pressure by using argon as a plasma carrier gas. Finding the optimal design parameters of liquid hydrocarbons cracking was the main purpose of this study. So effect of some process parameters like carrier gas flow rate, inner electrode diameter and electrode material (copper, brass, aluminum, iron and steel) was investigated on content and quality of products. Energy efficiencies, generation of hydrogen, product selectivity, breakdown voltage and etc. were determined and discussed. Results show that carrier gas flow rate, inner electrode diameter and electrode material, all affect the energy efficiency of a plasma reactor. Steel and Iron materials have maximum energy efficiencies. The best performance in reaching notably high efficiencies was at 2.68 mm inner electrode diameter. In this condition efficiency rise to 106.23 (lit/KWh) for 50 ml/min argon flow. The results showed that pulsed DBD systems are capable for cracking liquid hydrocarbon with high conversion efficiency and are an important piece of technology for replacement refinery cracking operations. It is also a very promising process for the production of hydrogen-rich gas with the important advantage to be free of carbon monoxide thus it can be considered as a high-quality hydrogen production method.