Streamer corona plasma for fuel gas cleaning : comparison of energization techniques

Abstract Tar (heavy hydrocarbon or Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH)) removal from biomass derived fuel gas is one of the biggest obstacles in its utilization for power generation. We have investigated pulsed corona as a method for tar removal. Our previous experimental results indicated an energy consumption of 200–250 J/L at an optimum gas temperature of 400 °C. One of the challenges in scaling up a process based on pulsed corona is the availability of high power pulsed power sources. To overcome this, a newer method of streamer corona generation by an alternative “DC/AC” power source is investigated. Energy consumption for tar removal process is used as a basis for comparing the two methods for its chemical efficiency. Results indicate the pulsed corona system and DC/AC system to have similar efficiency.