Experimental study on hydrogen production from methanol decomposition by liquid-phase discharge using porous nickel electrodes

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20250483

Abstract

Abstract:

Liquid-phase discharge plasma technology can break through the limitations of the traditional thermochemical pathway and realize rapid on-line decomposition of liquid fuels for hydrogen production at ambient temperature and pressure. In this study, a new high-voltage electrode based on porous nickel material was designed, and a visual discharge experimental platform was constructed to systematically carry out the characterization of methanol liquid-phase discharge plasma decomposition for hydrogen production, focusing on the analysis of the discharge mode, the bubble behavior, the energy-mass transfer characteristics and their effects on the hydrogen production performance. The experimental results show that in the sliding arc discharge mode, the use of porous electrodes significantly increases the plasma bubble volume and improves the spatial and temporal distribution of the discharge channel, which effectively enhances the reaction interface between methanol and plasma and the mass transfer efficiency. Compared with the traditional needle electrode, the use of porous electrodes increased the hydrogen production rate to 791.6 ml/min, a 38% increase. The unit energy consumption for hydrogen production was reduced to 1.45 kWh/m³ H₂, a 33.78% decrease. During the long cycle operation, the methanol decomposition performance decay rate of the porous electrode system was reduced by more than 72% compared with the traditional system, showing excellent operational stability and lifetime characteristics. The results provide a theoretical basis and key technical support for the design of liquid-phase plasma hydrogen generation reactor with high efficiency and stability.

Key words: hydrogen production, methanol, porous electrodes, liquid-discharge plasma, bubble behavior

摘要：

液相放电等离子体技术可突破传统热化学路径的限制，在常温常压下实现液态燃料的快速在线分解制氢。本研究设计了一种基于多孔镍材料的新型高压电极，搭建了可视化放电实验平台，系统开展了甲醇液相放电分解制氢过程的特性研究，重点分析了放电、气泡行为、能质传递特性及其对制氢性能的影响。实验结果表明，多孔电极显著增大了滑动弧放电等离子体气泡体积，并改善了放电通道的时空分布，从而有效提升了甲醇与等离子体间的反应界面与传质效率。与传统针电极相比，采用多孔电极后产氢速率提升至791.6 ml/min，增长38%；单位产氢能耗降低至1.45 kWh/m³ H₂，降幅达33.78%。在长周期运行过程中，多孔电极体系的甲醇分解性能衰减率较传统系统降低超过72%，展现出优异的运行稳定性与寿命特性。研究结果为液相等离子体制氢反应器的高效化、稳定化设计提供了理论依据与关键技术支撑。

关键词: 制氢, 甲醇, 多孔电极, 液相放电等离子体, 气泡行为

CLC Number:

TK 91

Shuyan SHUANG, Wei ZHANG, Jiale WANG, Junfeng WANG. Experimental study on hydrogen production from methanol decomposition by liquid-phase discharge using porous nickel electrodes[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(11): 5753-5763.

双舒炎, 张伟, 王家乐, 王军锋. 基于多孔镍电极的液相放电等离子体分解甲醇制氢实验研究[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(11): 5753-5763.

Figures/Tables 12

Fig.1 Liquid-phase discharge plasma hydrogen generation experimental system based on porous electrode

Fig.2 Image processing of plasma bubble

Fig.3 Voltage-current wave of GAD: (a) needle electrode (61.28 W); (b) 110 ppi porous electrode (62.99 W)

Fig.4 Optical emission spectra of plasma during methanol decomposition with different electrodes: (a) nickel needle electrode; (b) porous nickel electrode

Fig. 5 Comparison of syngas production yield from methanol decomposition by needle electrode and porous electrodes with different pore densities

Fig. 6 Comparison of gas-phase product fractions of methanol decomposition by porous electrode and needle electrode with different pore densities

Fig. 7 Comparison of energy consumption for hydrogen production from methanol decomposition by needle electrodes and porous electrodes with different pore densities

Fig. 8 Effects of different high-voltage electrodes on the spatial and temporal evolution of plasma bubble morphology: (a) needle electrode; (b) porous nickel electrode

Fig. 9 Trends in plasma bubble size from gliding arc discharge by different electrodes

Fig. 10 SEM images of the surface of the high-voltage electrode discharged for 1 hour: (a) needle electrode (no porous nickel protection); (b) needle electrode (porous nickel protection); (c) porous nickel

Fig. 11 Analysis of the elemental composition of the electrode surface by EDS

Fig. 12 Variation of methanol decomposition properties during continuous discharges: (a) comparison of methanol decomposition stability of different electrodes; (b) variation of syngas flow rate by porous electrodes

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