NT (non-thermal) Plasmatron Gasifier

The NT Plasmatron gasifies hydrocarbons and produces synthesis gas (CO and H2).

The reactor creates a plasma field using an electrical rather than thermal process, and is therefore able to operate at between 700 and 800 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than the 1300 degrees of our Plasma Assisted Gasifier and the 6000 to 8000 degrees of thermal plasma torch systems.

The reduced operating temperature means that the NT Plasmatron can effectively gasify waste while consuming much less electricity. This is a major breakthough that can allow the gasification plant to operate at a net profit.

The gasification process consists of two major stages: exothermic stage of combustion and slow endothermic stage of interaction of CO2 and H2O with gaseous hydrocarbons.

The reactor consists of the following major parts:

• Two Plasmatrons modified for solid hydrocarbons
• Mixing chamber
• Conical chamber for secondary reactions during reverse vortex.
• A circular metal lid
• A power supply
• A hopper and a feeder
• Heat exchangers
• High-temperature filter(s) for flying ash separation and a system for filter cleaning
• A bunker for ash collection and removal
• Valves, pipes, and thermocouples for connection of different parts of system and process control.
  
  The reactor provides effective interaction of the dispersed solid hydrocarbons with the gaseous oxidant (for example air or oxygen) and non-equilibrium plasma.
  
  The plasma is created by the following way: High voltage from the power supply is applied between two electrodes. This voltage should be high enough (about 3 kV/mm for atmospheric pressure air at room temperature) to initiate breakdown in the smallest gap between the electrodes.
  
  Initial reagents for the process are gaseous oxidant (for example air or oxygen) and dispersed solid hydrocarbons (for example, coal powder. The process stages are described below.

1. Gas is preheated in the heat exchanger.
2. The major flow of the gas after the high-temperature heat-exchanger is directed to the swirl generator and comes to the reactor tangentially, where it elongates and rotates the gliding discharge and also provides high intensity rotation to the powder particles, ensuring their long residence time in the reactor.
3. Combustion of the dispersed hydrocarbons and the energy release in the cathode voltage fall of the discharge heat up the conical surface. This heat is absorbed by the dispersed hydrocarbons and the incoming gas. Heating of the dispersed hydrocarbons results in volatiles release and particles ignition with CO, CO2 and H2O release (the first stage of the partial oxidation process). Another product of the combustion is ash that moves downwards and collects in the ash bunker.
4. Gaseous products of the first stage (hydrocarbons, CO, CO2 and H2O) come to the central part of the reactor where the second stage of the process takes place with the help of plasma catalysis.
5. Products of the secondary stage (synthesis gas, mixture of H2 and CO, and N2 in the case of using air as an oxidant) partially mix with incoming gas accelerating the total process (partial product recirculation). Major flow of the gaseous products is directed to the exhaust opening in the reactor lid, and then comes to the filter, where flying ash is separated. Then clean synthesis gas comes to the heat exchanger(s) where gives its thermal energy to the incoming gas.
6. Cooled synthesis gas is a major product of the process and can be used as a gaseous fuel or as a feedstock for organic synthesis (for example, of liquid fuels using the Fischer-Tropsch process).