Design and use of an Efficient Plasma Jet Reactor for High Temperature Gas/Solid Reactions

Abstract

ABSTRACTA unique and efficient plasma jet reactor has been developed and used to study the high temperature production of carbon monoxide from a reaction between powdered carbon and a pure carbon dioxide plasma. The plasma jet reactor was designed to allow the injection of powdered carbon above the arc discharge region rather than into the plasma flame below the arc discharge region. High yields of carbon monoxide, produced at relatively high efficiencies, were a direct result of this technique. The plasma jet was also designed to enable rapid changing and testing of various anode insertsAverage yields of carbon monoxide in the product gases were as high as 80–87% in selected experimental trials. Carbon monoxide was produced at rates exceeding 15,000 1/hr (at STP) with a power expenditure of 52 Kw.