GlidArc-assisted production of synthesis gas from rapeseed oil

We present a small and very simple reformer that converts widely available vegetable, animal, or even waste oils into the Synthesis Gas (and then to Hydrogen extracted from it, if necessary) for Fuel Cells or other applications. This plasma-assisted reformer does not require any cleaning or drying of bio-carbonaceous feedstock; all mineral and other impurities are accepted. The reforming is driven by high-voltage discharges (called GlidArc) that catalytically assist the exothermic partial oxidation process. Such electric assistance requires less than 2% of the Lower Heating Value (LHV) power of produced syngas. Recycling such a small portion of power is therefore an acceptable compromise. The unique oxidant source is air. As an example we present the feasibility tests with commercial rapeseed oil ('canola') in a 1-L reformer working at atmospheric pressure. Nitrogen-diluted SynGas containing up to 40% of H2 + CO at total feedstock conversion is produced in absence of the soot or coke. The flow of produced syngas corresponds to 11 kW of electric power of an ideal Fuel Cell. These positive results open a way to other renewable feedstock reforming into the SynGas such as peanut, palm, soybean, sunflower, and other oils as well as molasses and other secondary or waste products of a food processing. (author)