Onboard hydrogen production from partial oxidation of dimethyl ether by spark discharge plasma reforming

A spark discharge plasmatron was designed. Hydrogen was produced through partial oxidation reforming of DME by spark discharge plasma at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. The effects of voltage of electric source, arc frequency, air-to-DME ratio (by mole), DME feed flow rate and arc length on gas concentrations (Vol%), output power of electric source, energy consumption and thermal efficiency were investigated. The experimental results show that when arc frequency is 120 Hz, air-to-DME ratio is 2, DME feed flow rate is 20 mL/min, voltage of electric source is 12 V and arc length is 9 mm, hydrogen concentration is 7%, hydrogen yield is 8.5%, energy consumption is 75.5 kJ/L-H2 and thermal efficiency is 4.2%. The output power of electric source is different at different arc frequency.