How does the Hydrogen Plasma Black Reactor separate hydrogen from carbon?
In the baseline design, fuel is introduced into the bottom of a vessel containing concentric graphite electrodes at the bottom and a molten salt carbon scrubber chamber at the top. At the operating temperature defined by the plasma within the electrodes (about 1,500C), the fuel is completely cracked into its constituent components. Hydrogen and lighter fluidized carbon particles exit out the annular space between the electrodes and rise to the molten salt carbon scrubber chamber. The molten salt scrubber captures the carbon using countercurrent contact of liquid molten salt downflow with fine carbon particle laden hydrogen gas upflow. The molten salt thereupon drains at the bottom of the scrubber chamber. The gases (carbon monoxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia) rise to the top and exit the scrubber chamber. The heavier solids and molten ash exiting the concentric graphite electrodes drop to the bottom of the vessel and flow out for disposal. The ash and other elements that a
