Plasma Reformer for Low NOx Combustion

저 NOx 연소를 위한 플라즈마 개질기

A combined hydrogen generator of plasma and catalytic reformers has been developed, and has been applied to stabilize unstable flame of 200,000 Kcal/hr LPG combustor. The role of the plasma reformer is to generate hydrogen in a short period and to heat-up the catalytic reformer during the start-up time. After the start-up period, the catalytic reformer generates hydrogen through steam reforming with oxygen (SRO) reactions. The maximum capacity of the hydrogen generator is 100 lpm that is sufficient to be used to stabilize the flame of the present combustor. In order to reduce NOx and CO emissions simultaneously, 1) FGR (Flue Gas Recirculation) technique has been adopted and 2) the hydrogen has been added into the fuel supplied to the combustor. Test results shows that 25 % addition of hydrogen and 30 % FGR rate lead to simultaneous decrease of CO and NOx emissions. The technique proposed in the present study shows good potential to replace $NH_3$ SCR technique, especially in the case of small-scale combustor applications.