System optimization and cost analysis of plasma catalytic reforming of natural gas

Plasma reforming could provide advantages in hydrocarbon reforming especial ly in small-to-medium-scale plants and in plants with fast transients. The combination of a thermal plasma reformer operating in partial oxidation mod e with a catalyst bed will be described. Reduced concentrations of CO (1-3% vol) can be achieved, with high hydrogen yields and minimal plasmatron ele ctrical power requirements. A model for the cost of hydrogen production fro m natural gas has been developed. The model includes hydrogen cleanup utili zing a conventional pressure swing adsorption unit. The model uses experime ntally determined conversion yields and operational parameters. The conditi ons that result in system optimization and cost minimization have been dete rmined. (C) 2000 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published b y Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.