Feasibility of a Plasma Furnace for Methane Pyrolysis: Hydrogen and Carbon Production

Oday Daghagheleh (), Johannes Schenk (), Michael Andreas Zarl, Markus Lehner, Manuel Farkas and Heng Zheng
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Oday Daghagheleh: Chair of Ferrous Metallurgy, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Franz-Josef-Straβe 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria
Johannes Schenk: Chair of Ferrous Metallurgy, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Franz-Josef-Straβe 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria
Michael Andreas Zarl: K1-MET GmbH, Stahlstraße 14, 4020 Linz, Austria
Markus Lehner: Chair of Process Technology and Industrial Environmental Protection, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Franz-Josef-Straβe 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria
Manuel Farkas: K1-MET GmbH, Stahlstraße 14, 4020 Linz, Austria
Heng Zheng: Chair of Ferrous Metallurgy, Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Franz-Josef-Straβe 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria

Energies, 2023, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: The imperative to achieve a climate-neutral industry necessitates CO 2 -free alternatives for H 2 production. Recent developments suggest that plasma technology holds promise in this regard. This study investigates H 2 production by methane pyrolysis using a lab-scale plasma furnace, with the primary objective of achieving a high H 2 yield through continuous production. The plasma furnace features a DC-transferred thermal plasma arc system. The plasma gas comprises Ar and CH 4 , introduced into the reaction zone through the graphite hollow cathode. The off-gas is channeled for further analysis, while the plasma arc is recorded by a camera installed on the top lid. Results showcase a high H 2 yield in the range of up to 100%. A stable process is facilitated by a higher power and lower CH 4 input, contributing to a higher H 2 yield in the end. Conversely, an increased gas flow results in a shorter gas residence time, reducing H 2 yield. The images of the plasma arc zone vividly depict the formation and growth of carbon, leading to disruptive interruptions in the arc, hence declining efficiency. The produced solid carbon exhibits high purity with a fluffy and fine structure. This paper concludes that further optimization and development of the process are essential to achieve stable continuous operation with a high utilization degree.

Keywords: hydrogen production; green energy; thermal plasma; plasma pyrolysis; methane pyrolysis; methane decomposition; carbon (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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