Latest Advance in Fuel Reforming for Hydrogen Production by Treatment of Low Temperature Atmospheric Plasma

The latest progress in fuel reforming for hydrogen production by treatment of low temperature atmospheric plasma was tentatively reviewed. The discussions, with specific examples reported in literature, focused on:i) its technical strengths for small amount H₂-production, including the high energy efficiency, low energy consumption, small volume, mild H₂-production conditions and easy operation; ii) the plasma generation techniques and instrumentations involved, including but not limited to the glow-, corona-, dielectric barrier-, RF-and microwave discharges with the gas and/or liquid phased raw materials, such as methanol, ethanol, heavy naphtha, methane hydrate, dimethyl ether, etc.; and iii) the impact of the plasma properties on the possible chemical reactions in H₂-production. In addition, the development trends, technical problems and total solutions in fuel reforming for hydrogen production by low temperature atmospheric plasma treatment were also briefly discussed in a thought provoking way.