Chemical kinetics of an argon/methane plasma in a hydrogen reforming reactor

We have studied the characteristics of a plasma reactor for the promotion of chemical reactions aimed to hydrogen reforming from gaseous hydrocarbons. A plasma torch-like electrode configuration was powered by a limited current, high voltage DC source. Using as process gas an argon/methane mixture at atmospheric pressure, we have produced an intermittent spark discharge which has been investigated at different operating parameters. Experimental information on the discharge have been used to perform a numerical simulation of the plasma chemical kinetics. The evolution of the gas-phase composition during and after the interaction in the discharge region was calculated under different operating conditions. The results have been used to predict the hydrogen production yield in the experiments and to study the role played by the different discharge parameters in order to determine the optimal interaction between plasma and gas mixture.