고주파유도결합에 의해 여기된 물플라즈마로부터 고효율 수소생산을 위한 메탄가스 첨가효과

Effect of $CH_4$ addition to the $H_2O$ plasma excited by VHF ICP for production of $H_2$

Hydrogen was produced by water plasma excited in very high frequency inductively coupled tube reactor. Mass spectrometry was used to monitor gas phase species at various process conditions. Water dissociation rate depend on the process parameters such as ICP power, flow-rate and pressure. Water dissociation percent in ICP reactor decrease with increase of chamber pressure and $H_2O$ flow rate, while increase with increase of ICP power. In our experimental range, maximum water dissociation rate was 65.5% at the process conditions of 265 mTorr, 68 sccm, and 400 Watt. The effect of $CH_4$ addition to a water plasma on the hydrogen production has been studied in a VHF ICP reactor. With the addition of $CH_4$ gas, $H_2$ production increases to 12% until the $CH_4$ flow rate increases up to 15 sccm. But, with the flow rate of $CH_4$ more than 20 sccm, chamber wall was deposited with carbon film because of deficiency of oxygen in gas phase, hydrogen production rate decreased. The main roles of $CH_4$ gas are to reacts with O forming CO, CHO and $CO_2$ and releasing additional $H_2$ and furthermore to prevent reverse reaction for forming $H_2O$ from $H_2$ and $O_2$. But, $CH_4$ addition has negative effects such as cost increase and $CO_x$ emission, therefore process optimization is required.