Passage from Research to Technology: New Plasma Technology in Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industries

Over 90% of the universe is comprised of plasma. Plasma is the fourth state of matter that is an ionized gas consisting of ions, electrons, chemical free radicals and excited particles. The introduction of plasma technology into fundamental and applied researches of various sciences in the last decades has revolutionized industries related to this technology and hence plasma technology can similarly enter and impact the oil, gas and petrochemical industries significantly. Plasma technology provides a number of key benefits: it does not generate any greenhouse gases, it has low negative impact on the environment and most importantly it leads to decrease in economic costs. Furthermore, in seeking a replacement source for reduction of energy consumption, plasma has provided new methods for hydrogen production and hydrogen rich gases for fuel cells and gas transformation processes. Plasma can also remove toxic pollutants. Using plasma technology for the purpose of replacing it by technologies present in plasma torches, plasma welding, gas formation, protection of furnaces and boilers against erosion and corrosion, water purification, chemical and industrial waste treatment, removal of toxic pollutants, etc. can be useful in increasing productivity and saving energy. Since plasma technology is largely undeveloped, the potential for its utilization is also significant.