APPLICATIONS OF PLASMA TECHNOLOGY IN ENERGY SECTOR

Abstract

Today, the use of plasma technology in production of energy from waste, biomass and coal has become quite widespread in the world due to the unique and outstanding features of plasma. Experimental and theoretical studies have shown that plasma based system in energy production is a promising alternative to classical system in terms of efficiency, environmental and economic aspects. Plasma assisted combustion, gasification and pyrolysis are different methods used in energy production. Considering the plasma technology applications in energy sector, it is widely used in developed countries like Europe and USA for the energy production from the waste and biomass, but plasma is generally preferred in eastern countries like China, Kazakhstan and Russia for plasma coal gasification and plasma assisted coal burning at thermal plant. Different plasma torch systems (AC, DC and RF) used in these applications are seen in the literature. This paper gives an overview on plasma technologies in energy production from different energy sources (waste, biomass, coal) by different techniques such as combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. In comparison of AC, DC and RF plasma torches in the scientific literature, it has been considered that AC plasma torch is a prominent technology due to some advantages especially in high power as megawatt levels. Lastly, economic assessment is presented and estimated budget for system installation is given for different systems. Although the technology readiness level of the plasma technologies has a level of maturity (over 6) in our facilities at AR&TeCS (ARTECS Inc., Ankara University Technopolis, Gölbaşı, Ankara), the application on the different type of waste management or plasma assisted coal burning/gasification needs some additional R&D activities especially in simulation and modelling for obtaining optimum conditions, process development and controlling of gasification/combustion process. Finally, some technical experience from the high-power alternating current (AC) plasma system established at AR&TeCS is shared.

Keywords

• Plasmatron,High power,Alternative Current,AC,Coal,Biomass,Waste

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