Plasma Technology in Bio-Energy Thermo-Chemical Conversion Biomass Gasification Plasma Technology in Bio-Energy 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Applications of Plasma Plasma Gasification Plasma Pyrolysis Plasma Technology - Contents What is Plasma? Applications of Plasma Plasma Gasification Plasma Pyrolysis Plasma Combustion Plasma Hydrocarbon reforming Plasma syngas cleaning 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

“FOURTH STATE OF MATTER” What is Plasma? Quasineutral, electrically conductive gas of charged and neutral particles which exhibits collective behaviour. “FOURTH STATE OF MATTER” 99% of matter in Universe is in Plasma state 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Lightning Aurora borealis Solar corona Ionosphere Gaseous nebulae Plasma in Nature Lightning Aurora borealis Solar corona Ionosphere Gaseous nebulae Stellar interiors 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma Types HOME 8 Thermal Plasma Non-thermal Plasma Gas temperature = Electron temperature (Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium, LTE) , T>4000K Gas temperature << Electron temperature (No LTE) Used in applications that require very high temperature and energy density Used to create energetic species even at very low temperature that can initiate chemical reactions 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma Gasification Thermal plasma technology can almost breakdown any materials other than radioactive. Thus, plasma gasification can be utilised to extract energy from all waste kinds. Very high temperature achieved through plasma torch is the main advantage over the conventional gasification system. 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma Gasification HOME 8 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Source : http://www.alternrg.com/waste_to_energy/ Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma Pyrolysis Plasma pyrolysis is similar to plasma gasification except that pyrolysis happens in complete absence of air or oxygen starved environment. 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Energy recovery efficiency Comparison Plasma Gasification Gasification Incineration Type of Reaction Limited oxidant (< stoichiometric) Excess air for complete combustion Process Temperature 1500 °C – 5000°C 400 °C – 900°C 850 °C – 1200°C Product CO, CO2, H2, H2O, CH4 Waste heat from cooling syngas that could be recovered CO2, H2O, waste heat that could be recovered Energy recovery efficiency Higher gross energy recovery resulting from complete decomposition to elemental level Higher from less heat loss due to deficit of air. Not all char broken down ,therefore not all energy released Lower resulting from excess air leading to more waste heat up the stack 8 Source : Larry Gray MANE 6960 – Solid and Hazardous Waste Prevention and Control Engineering Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma Gasification – Conclusion Plasma gasification offers better environmental performance through lower emissions, reduced volume of waste, the vitrified slag which could be either landfilled or serve as filler material, such as in road construction. Though the technology does require significant electrical energy input, it offers flexibility and a more environmentally friendly means to dispose MSW. If the primary goal is to significantly reduce the volume of waste that would need to be placed in a landfill with a secondary objective of recovering some useful energy, then plasma gasification should be a technology worthy of consideration in the treatment of municipal solid waste. 8 Source : Larry Gray MANE 6960 – Solid and Hazardous Waste Prevention and Control Engineering Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma assisted Combustion Recent development of alternative and bio-derived fuels to address energy sustainability and CO2 emissions further complicates the combustion and emission control. Alternative fuels have completely different molecular structures and ignition properties from traditional transportation fuels. Moreover, biogas consists of trace amounts of hazardous materials such as sulphur volatile organic compounds (VOCs), silicone, and sulphur compounds. Therefore, ignition and emission control using biofuels and alternative fuels can be very challenging. 8 Source : Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 48 (2015) 21e83 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma assisted Combustion Promising Technology for Improving engine performance Increase lean burn flame stability Reduce emissions Enhance low temperature fuel oxidation and processing 8 Source : Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 48 (2015) 21e83 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma assisted Combustion – Enhancement pathways New reaction pathways from plasma such as atomic O production from the collisions between high energy electrons/ions and oxygen molecules, can be introduced into combustion systems to modify the fuel oxidation pathways considerably. 8 Source : Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 48 (2015) 21e83 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma assisted Combustion – Few of many works cited Engine/Burner Objective Merits Problems Institution / Company Ozone from DBD Diesel engine Ignition Decreased ignition timing Not reported University of Orleans, CNRS DBD Diesel engine exhausts Emissions Simultaneous soot, unburnt HC, Nox & PAHs reduction High E/N may cause NOx formation from plasma Tianjin University MW + spark Gasoline engine, small IC engine Stable leaner combustion & improved stability Imagineering, Inc., Princeton University Nanosecond pulsed discharge Swirl-stabilized gas turbine burner Flame stabilization, lean blowout limits Improved stability, leaner combustion Plasma can also cause instability Technical University of Berlin, CNRS & Ecole Central Paris 8 Source : Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 48 (2015) 21e83 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma reformation of Hydrocarbons The most potentially benefit of non-thermal plasma assisted chemical processes is that the input energy can be used to stimulate the chemical reactions but not heat the bulk gases. Non-thermal plasma region provides a reactive atmosphere to make the highly endothermic reactions occur out of thermodynamic equilibrium. Feed for reforming Natural gas Greenhouse gases Methane N-heptane or other fuels VOCs and other exhausts 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma reformation- Methane dry reforming Comparison of energy conversion efficiency with different plasmas Features of non-thermal plasma reforming Hydrogen selectivity & enrichment Energy efficient Low operating temperature Flexibility to choose plasma type optimising performance 8 Source : International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 3 4 ( 2 0 0 9 ) 9 3 7 3 – 9 3 7 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma syngas cleaning As non-thermal plasma provides high energy electrons that create favourable reactive environment regardless of the feed gas temperature. Though control over selectivity of products depends on plasma utilisation of produced radicals and excited species, the destruction of the feed is possible at very low temperature. This enables to clean the raw producer gas or syngas (same as plasma reforming of HCs) by destructing the tar. Based on the domination of cracking or polymerisation reaction mechanisms, product species and selectivity will change. 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

Plasma for reforming /cleaning – Published works Order of most used feed gas: Methane / bio gas >> other HCs > Tar Tar destruction and cleaning/enriching the raw gas is the most happening research and promising technology. 8 Centre for Sustainable Technologies Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore ; http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/ Supported by DBT, New Delhi. This is a Beta Version HOME 8

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