Plasma Jet Applications in chemical Synthesis

Recently, the plasma jet with its ability to produce temperature beyond the range of conventional chemical flames or the ordinary electric arc, has stimulated the research of high temperature reactions. There are several types of the modern plasma jet device, but generally the ”non-transferred constricted configuration” is the basis for plasma chemistry. The equipment of the plasma jet reactor is consisted of three parts, the plasma torch, the reactor, and the quench. By using a argon plasma jet, it was possible to convert Methane into Acetylene at 80% yield. The preparation of Cyanogen has been succeeded by a nitrogen jet or an argon jet. Also, Hydrogen Cyanide was produced in the similar endothermic reaction. An analytical approach to the reaction of Methane decomposition in a hydrogen plasma jet, supplied insight into what occurs within the reaction chamber and defined the practical limit of the process. The operating parameters for deriving maximum concentration of HCN was defined by thermodynamic considerations. In order to obtain the maximum yield in these reactions, it is necessary to stabilize jet flame and to reduce contamination. But it is not known whether electrode material loss is essential to arc operation, or whether arc column behavior affect to flame stabilization etc.. Present knowledge of their reactions is even inadequate to establish the limitation on plasma jet performance. However, it is anticipated that the plasma jet reactor will be able to offer to open up new fields in chemical synthesis.