Conversion of hydrocarbons assisted by gliding electric arcs in the presence of water vapor and/or carbon dioxide

Abstract

Method for conversion of hydrocarbons assisted by gliding electric arcs in the presence of water vapor and/or carbon dioxide. The objective of the process and the plasma assistance device to steam reforming, to the reforming with CO2 or to simultaneous reforming with an H2O/CO2 mixture of hydrocarbons is the production of gases rich in CO and H2, containing also high ratios of C2H2, C2H4 and C3H6, without formation of soot or coke. The process makes it also possible to upgrade the CO2 by converting it into CO in the presence of hydrocarbons. This mixture of valuable products is obtained in a reactor /1/ with electric gliding arcs /4/ which strike directly into an endothermic reaction medium consisting of hydrocarbons mixed with H2O and/or CO2. The reactor is equipped with a diaphragm /19/ with a convergent/divergent hole /20/ to reinforce the agitation of the arcs with the load to be converted and, at the same time, to have the conversion of the load progress after prolonged contact with catalytic species derived from the plasma.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.