Novel three-phase steam–air plasma torch for gasification of high-caloric waste

Philip G. Rutberg, Vadim A. Kuznetsov, Evgeny O. Serba, Sergey D. Popov, Alexander V. Surov, Ghennady V. Nakonechny and Alexey V. Nikonov

Applied Energy, 2013, vol. 108, issue C, 505-514

Abstract: Research results are presented for an AC electric arc that burns a mixture of steam and air in a three-phase high-voltage plasma torch and can be implemented to produce plasma for plastic waste gasification. The dependences of electric parameters on the ratio of the steam to air mass flows (H2O/air ∼1–6) at an approximately constant total mass flow of the plasma-forming gas are obtained during several experiments. During the experiments, the arc parameters were as follows: voltage drop of 1.0–1.8kV, current of ∼28.5A and power of ∼52–86kW. The thermal efficiency of the plasma torch was ∼94–95%. CCD cameras operating at 4000fps were used to determine the average discharge length of ∼798mm. Photography with a high shutter speed (1/8000s) was used to determine the average arc diameter (∼4.47mm). Arc temperatures were calculated (10,000–11,500K) using the thermodynamic equilibrium approach. Experimental results indicate that increases in the steam content of the steam–air plasma lead to a reduction of the arc’s temperature and electrical conductivity. Using an equilibrium approach, the main parameters of plasma gasification were estimated: syngas yield (3.62–3.48m3/kg), composition (H2 – 55.5–62.5, CO – 32.8–34.1vol.%) and energy consumption (11.0–12.3MJ/kg).

Keywords: Plasma torch; Efficiency; Electric arc; Steam–air plasma; Plasma gasification (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.03.052

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