Method for decomposition of hydrocarbons

A method for decomposition of hydrocarbons for the production of hydrogen and carbon black using a reaction chamber having a plasma torch located adjacent one end thereof and an exit at the opposite end of the reaction chamber and inlets disposed about a portion of the reaction chamber for supplying a quenching fluid, said plasma torch including a lead-in tube, comprising the steps of feeding a hydrocarbon feedstock through a lead-in tube of the plasma torch while controlling the temperature of the lead-in tube so that the feedstock will have a temperature within the range of 650.degree. C. to 700.degree. C.,

• subjecting the feedstock to a first uniform heating by means of a plasma generated by the plasma torch,
• feeding the feedstock and a plasma hydrogen gas for forming a plasma at respective pressures to cause mixing of said feedstock and hydrogen gas in an area immediately beyond the hydrogen plasma at a temperature above 1600.degree. C. to cause decomposition of the feedstock and the generation of free hydrogen and dehydrogenated carbon material, which material passes to a further zone of the reaction chamber at a temperature between 1200.degree. C. and 1600.degree. C. where final and complete decomposition of the hydrocarbons of the feed stock to carbon black and hydrogen is performed and including the further step of adding a quenching fluid to said further zone, said quenching fluid comprising a hydrocarbon material which reacts with the already produced carbon black to thereby increase the particle size, density and quantity without the consumption of further energy, and
• subsequently discharging and separating the reaction products and passing any hot gas generated through a return pipe to the plasma torch.