Abstract
We report the use of microwave plasma for the production of hydrogen-enriched gas by converting a mixture of CO₂ and CH₄. A novel type of compact and simple in design, waveguide-based, atmospheric pressure plasma source is used. It doesn't contain a discharge tube, but involve a swirling gas flow and operates without a catalyst. The influence of the input parameters on the conversion process parameters is investigated. It is found that the power of microwaves benefits the concentration of H(2), but the gas flow rate is found to be detrimental to the H(2) concentration. It is observed that the CO(2)/CH(4) flow rate ratio is another factor influencing the process parameters. The best results obtained of H(2) concentration and conversion rate of CH(4) are 33% and 46%, respectively, while in the terms of H(2) production rate and the energy yield of H(2) production are 118 g/h and 30 g/kWh, respectively.