Heater for heating gases or gas mixtures and plant for conducting chemical processes comprising said heater

A heater for heating an input gas or gas mixture to be heated by an electric arc and consequent production of an output heated gas or gas mixture, the heater comprising:

• a containment structure defining a heating chamber, the containment structure including controllable input openings configured to receive the input gas or gas mixture to be heated, and controllable output openings for output of the output heated gas or gas mixture;
• one or more electrodes, disposed through respective one or more holes in the containment structure;
• sealing elements disposed between each hole and a corresponding electrode of the one or more electrodes, the sealing elements configured to prevent gas exchange between an interior and an exterior of the heating chamber;
• and
• at least one electrically conductive element placed at least partially within the heating chamber,
• wherein the electric arc is formed between the one or more electrodes and the electrically conductive element.

A heater for heating an input gas or gas mixture to be heated by an electric arc and consequent production of an output heated gas or gas mixture, the heater comprising:

• a containment structure defining a heating chamber, the containment structure including controllable input openings configured to receive the input gas or gas mixture to be heated, and controllable output openings for output of the output heated gas or gas mixture;
• one or more electrodes, disposed through respective one or more holes in the containment structure;
• sealing elements disposed between each hole and the one or more electrodes, the sealing elements configured to prevent gas exchange between an interior and an exterior of the heating chamber;
• and
• at least one electrically conductive element placed at least partially within the heating chamber, wherein
• the electric arc is formed between the one or more electrodes and the electrically conductive element,
• the input gas or gas mixture to be heated comprises one or more species in the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbons, and gaseous compounds comprising carbon and/or hydrogen and/or oxygen and/or nitrogen,
• at least one electrode of the one or more electrodes is arranged with a substantially vertical axis,
• the at least one electrically conductive element is fixed in position relative to the containment structure, and
• the electrically conductive element is disposed entirely within the heating chamber.