Partial oxidation reforming of simulated biogas in gliding arc discharge system

Abstract

Plasma assisted, partial oxidation reforming of biogas is considered to be a promising technology to produce synthesis gas. In this work, a 0.1 kW gliding arc plasma reformer was employed to investigate the effects of biogas composition and oxygen availability on CH4 and CO2 conversions, as well as the product distribution. Air was used in the partial oxidation of biogas. The results showed that at low CH4/O2 ratio or high oxygen availability, increasing CH4 content appeared to show higher H2 yield and CH4 conversion. Increasing CH4/O2 ratio adversely affected H2 and CO yields, and CH4 conversion. Optimum condition was found at CH4/CO2 of 90:10 and CH4/O2 of 1.2 for the maximum CH4 conversion and H2 yield of 45.7 and 25.3%, respectively.