Numerical Investigation into a Combined Ecologically Pure Plasma-Vortex Generator of Hydrogen and Thermal Energy

Abstract

One of the promising approaches in clean energy is hydrogen production using the hydration reaction of a metal micropowder, stimulated by plasma formations. In present work, we carried out a series of numerical simulations of the turbulent three-dimensional swirling flow with chemical reactions in plasma vortex reactor (PVR) to provide further insights into use of such apparatus. The modelling has demonstrated that desirable behavior with heat transferred mostly downstream can be ensured by use of pipe-like electrode placed downstream from cylindrical one. Then, using exact experimental geometry and flow composition, optimized electrode system and simplified kinetic scheme of plasma-chemical reactions, we tested several operating modes of the PVR and obtained time dependent flow characteristics, which, in turn, will be used for further adjustment of the scheme and overall apparatus.