Synthesis gas production from methane and propane in a miniaturized GlidArc® reformer

The current paper focuses on the miniaturization and utilization of the GlidArc® principle for the reforming of fuel gases (such as methane and propane) to synthesis gas (H2 + CO). The reforming characteristics and optimal operating conditions to achieve maximum synthesis gas yield were determined. Parametric screening studies were performed with different (i) atomic ratios of oxygen to carbon (O/C) in the range from 1 to 2, (ii) and feed flow rates from 2 to 10 L/min using alternating current voltage to produce the plasma in the reactor, which was varied from 2.8 to 4.6 kV. A Higher synthesis gas ratio of H2/CO ≈ 2.35 was achieved when methane was processed at O/C = 1 in comparison with propane (H2/CO ≈ 1.52).