Three Stages Modeling of n-Octane Reforming Assisted by a Nonthermal Arc Discharge

This paper presents a simplified one-dimensional kinetic model (phenomenological approach) of a nonthermal arc discharge plasma reactor used for n-octane reforming. After a description of the model and its main assumptions, a parametric analysis of plasma reformer performance addressing the influence of plasma volume, H2O/C ratio, O/C ratio, and input electric power is presented. Results focusing on energy efficiency and conversion rate, including comparison with experimental gasoline reforming data, are analyzed and discussed. The parametric study has provided an optimum for actual plasma reformer, H2O/C = 0, O/C = 1.1, and input electric power between 20 and 25% LHV. The model shows that nonequilibrium chemistry is produced via fast mixing of arc plasma jet and reactants to quench radicals and other active species generated in the high-temperature region.