Improvement of Plasma Reactor Performance for Hydrogen Generation

  • Published : 2006.06.22

Abstract

Research was performed to increase the efficiency of a plasma reactor for $H_2$ yield. In the preceding studies $H_2$ was increased by adding Ni as a transitional metal catalyst and $TiO_2$ as a photocatalyst. In these experiments, it was found that distilled water, discharge frequency, and electrode configuration had a significant impact on $H_2$ generation. A substantial amount of hydrogen yield was observed at 2 kHz of discharge frequency and 12 kV of applied voltage. Within this favorable discharge conditions, the weight rate of $TiO_2$ and Ni powders was investigated. Plasma phenomenon was measured by electrical, optical and acoustical devices. It was found that emitted light, electric current and acoustical signals acquired from the discharge demonstrated systematical correlation. Changing the electrode's configuration allowed discharge distribution along the perimeter of the electrode's tip, which increased the density of streamers and plasma energy loadings, as the value of inception voltage for the discharge propagation decreased.

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