Project NTP

Van Ortega Cayetano

Shama Karu

Sean McKeown

Themistoklis ZacharatosAdvisor: Dr. Woo Lee

Plasma Specialist: Dr. Kurt Becker

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Introduction to Plasma

• Plasmas are everywhere around us.

• Plasmas are an equilibrium of ions and electrons with in a confined space.

                                                                                                                                                           

Categories of Plasmas: • Different characteristics of plasmas are produced

with various means of energy applications.• Various plasmas:

– Homogeneous Plasma– Arc Discharge (lightning)– Thermal Plasma– Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) (fluorescent tubes)– Etc.

• Few Variations among plasmas:– Electron density– Thermal energy – Energy consumption

Cause of Variations:• Pressure• Voltage• Material of electrodes• Type of gas• Means of plasma production

(plasma source)

Production of Plasma:• A commonly used method of generating and

sustaining NTP is through an electric field. – For instance, two parallel electrodes with an applied

voltage

Schematic Diagram of the Plasma ReactorDielectric Barrier Discharge at/above Atmospheric Pressure

Glass PipetteAnode

Cathode

AC HV +

Network

Plasma Region

Gas FlowSpectroscopy, Gas

ChromatographyPure He or Ar

He/N2 or Ar/N2

He/Ar + N2 + CH3OH

1 kV, 50 W 250 kHz

Reference: Prof. Becker

Summary of Experimental Results with Cold Plasma

• Plasma Characteristics with He/Ar+N2 – Gas temperature of 350 – 380 K (measured)– Electron density of 1 – 5 x 10+10 cm-3 (estimated)– Avg. electron energy of 0.6 – 0.8 eV w/o high-energy tail

• Experiments with He/Ar+N2+CH3OH–Gas temperature still in the 350 – 380 K range–Increase in CO, OH, and CH emissions, indicating a

(partial) plasma-induced break-up of CH3OH

–Very weak H emissions –May require more energetic electrons –Needs improvement for controlling methanol content

Reference: Prof. Becker

Summary of Experiment Attempting to

Crack Methanol from Pipette Design • Flow-rate of pure Argon was 140cc/min

• Flow-rate of Ar/MeOH was 11.8cc/min

• Total flow-rate was 151.8cc/min

• Power in was approximately 150W

• Methanol concentration before entering plasma to be 1.29%

Conclusion• GC detector not sensitive enough unable to pick up

such a small concentration

Goals:

• Obtain a clear understanding of plasma

• Breakdown Methane at a lower temperature than the current conventional methods using NTP

• Improve on previous year

Breakdown of Methane:

Methane steam reforming:

CH4 + 2H2O CO2 + 4H2

CH4 + H2O CO + 3H2

Temperature: 600–1300K with Ni/Ca/Carbon – based catalyst

Methane plasma reforming:

CH4 + e- ????Temperature ~ 300K

Obtain a clear understanding of plasma:• Literature research

• Consult with Physics department

• Analyze experiments using NTP

Plasma

Experimental research on new plasma sources:• Design new source

• Experiment with ratio of methane to argon flow

• Determine optimum frequency and power for new source

• Elemental analysis by Gas Chromatography (GC)– Literature research – analytical methods

– GC performance check

– GC automation

Improvements on previous year:

• Unclear assumptions towards calculations.

• Equipment

• Gas Chromatograph

• System Leaks

Gantt Chart - OverallLiterature Research

All

System CheckCheck for leaksObtain GC samplerPerformance check

Sean and Shama

Plasma SourceSource Design

Van and Theo

ConstructionAll

ExperimentationExperiment

All

Data AnalysisAll

Final ReportResearchWritingEditing

All

Final PresentationVisualsPreparation

MayJanuary February March AprilSeptember October November December

Gantt Chart - October

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4

Literature

Gas ChromatographObtain PartsPerformance check

Experimental AnalysisDesign ConsiderationsConstruction and Testing Van and Theo

October

Sean/All

ShamaSean

Van and Theo

Why Fuel Cells?

• Environmental Effects– Reduction of automobile greenhouse gas emissions by

50% – Cut down on smog and acid rain– Reduce noise pollution

•Social Ramifications–Reduction of energy imports–Lower energy costs

•Applications–Batteries–Transportation–Power Plants