Microdischarge in Porous Ceramics with Atmospheric Pressure High Temperature H₂O/SO₂ Gas Mixture and its Application for Hydrogen Production

Abstract

Microdischarges in atmospheric pressure H2O/SO2 gas mixture at high temperature are studied to evaluate their plasma-chemical reactivity to produce hydrogen gas. The microplasma is generated inside a porous ceramic (MIPC) covered with two steel meshes as the gas mixture at atmospheric pressure flows through the medium. Voltage–current characteristics and optical emissions are measured to determine the electrical properties of the DC discharge and the degree of non-equilibrium. The discharge current at a given voltage substantially increases as the gas temperature is increased, thus posing a possibility to reduce the electrical power needed to sustain the discharge. The study also showed the possibility of facilitating the reaction between H2O and SO2 not by electrocatalyst like platinum but by non-thermal electrons.