CONVERSION INTO HEAT-ABSORPTIVE GAS

PURPOSE:To carry out partial oxidation of hydrocarbon gas/air mixture in a glow discharge atmosphere without the use of any heating oven and catalyst, thus leading to reduction in equipment cost, power consumption and maintenance cost. CONSTITUTION:A hydrocarbon gas and air used as raw materials for a heat- absorptive gas are measured with a flow meter 11 so that the excess oxygen ratio may be 1.05 as against 1.00 specified by the equivalence point in partial oxidation of butane with oxygen. The mixed gas is suctioned into a low pressure chamber 13 through a pressure controlling valve 12. In the chamber 13 where the pressure is maintained at a consistent level within the range of 1-50 Torr, direct current voltage is applied from a power source 16 to cause glow discharge between the positively charged chamber 13 and a negatively charged electrode 14 located in the center of the chamber 13. The resultant gas is discharged from the chamber 13 by means of a suction pump 15 for use as heat-absorptive gas for heat treatment.