Background:

Producing hydrogen (H₂) without contributing to carbon emissions is a crucial goal, and one promising avenue is the use of plasma technology to decompose natural gas or methane (CH₄). Unlike conventional methods like steam methane reforming and partial oxidation, plasma technology allows us to achieve this with zero CO₂ emission. Thermal plasma, capable of reaching temperatures up to 10,000 K, doesn’t rely on catalytic effects for the decomposition of natural gas, making it a highly efficient and environmentally friendly option.

The advantages of plasma technology extend beyond its eco-friendliness. Its compact and straightforward design, coupled with a high-efficiency rate and low energy demands, makes it an appealing choice. Moreover, the process yields high-quality Carbon Black (CB) products alongside enriched H₂ gas. These CB by-products can find valuable applications in various industries such as mobility, plastics, and agriculture.

However, it’s crucial to note that the field of methane pyrolysis via thermal plasma is still in its early stages, demanding a deeper understanding of the underlying process parameters. A comprehensive series of experiments focusing on selected influencing factors is imperative to achieve this. These experiments will contribute to refining the technology and play a pivotal role in determining the impact of these parameters on the overall process utilization efficiency.

Objective:

Initiate the research process by delving into an extensive literature review to understand thermal plasma technology and its specific application in methane pyrolysis. Following this, strategically plan and implement a varied test series encompassing a range of conditions. The primary objective is to systematically uncover relationships between selected process parameters and the resulting outcomes. This comprehensive approach aims not only to deepen our insights into thermal plasma technology but also to optimize its potential in sustainable hydrogen production through methane pyrolysis.

Scope

• Conducting an in-depth literature review on plasma pyrolysis of methane
• Providing support in the strategic planning and execution of laboratory tests
• Systematically evaluating and analyzing the obtained test results
• Establishing correlations between testing parameters and the resulting utilization rate
• Facilitating a comprehensive discussion and summarization of the research findings