Multiphysics simulation of pulsed cold plasma arc rotation in the field of a ring permanent magnet

• Published in: 2016 IEEE Conference on Electromagnetic Field Computation (CEFC) p. 1
• Main Authors: Minxiang Wu, Fahimi, Babak
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.11.2016
• Subjects: arc; cold plasma; Electrodes; Fuels; Hydrogen; magnetic field; Magnetic fields; multiphysics; Permanent magnets; Plasma temperature
• DOI: 10.1109/CEFC.2016.7816324

Pulsed cold plasma reforming is a novel method to harvest hydrogen from hydrocarbons. The harvested hydrogen can feed a fuel cell for distributed generation of electricity in a stationary or mobile platforms. The cold plasma arc is generated by a pulsating high voltage. The arc rotates in the magnetic field of a ring permanent magnet, thus increasing the collision area between the arc and the fuel. Due to the difficulties of measurement of plasma properties such as ion and electron temperature without disturbing the plasma, multiphysics simulation is a key step in the design of electrodes, thereby increasing the hydrogen harvest rate in the syngas. In this paper, a 3D multiphysics simulation including fluid dynamics, thermal simulation, and magnet fields has been carried out to assist in the design of electrodes, determination of input fuel rate and permanent magnet parameters. Experiments were carried out to verify the simulation results.