Göttingen 2025 – scientific programme

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P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik

P 10: Poster Session I

P 10.5: Poster

Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 16:15–18:15, ZHG Foyer 1. OG

Investigation of a microwave plasma torch for conversion of CO₂ and CH₄ molecules — •Clemens Kranig¹, Christian K. Kiefer¹, Arne Meindl¹, Ante Hecimovic¹, and Ursel Fantz^1,2 — ¹Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Boltzmannstr. 2, D85748 Garching b. München — ²University of Augsburg, Universitätsstr. 1, D-86159 Augsburg

Using a microwave plasma for converting various gaseous molecules, e.g. CO₂ or CH₄, into value-added molecules like CO and H₂, is a promising technology. For the case of CO₂ high conversion rates have been demonstrated as well as comparably short start-up times, which synergizes well with fluctuating renewable energy supplies. The microwave torch generates a low-temperature plasma in the pressure range from several millibars to atmospheric pressure. The plasma is characterized by gas temperatures ranging from 2000-6000 K, which enable endothermic reactions, such as CO₂ conversion (CO₂ → CO + 1/2O₂), methane pyrolysis (CH₄ → 2H₂ + C_s), and dry reforming of methane (CO₂ + CH₄ → 2CO + 2H₂). Due to the high temperature in the effluent, one key challenge is the reduction of recombination. Other challenges are the desired selectivity accompanied by sufficient energy efficiency, as well as the deposition of carbon black at critical locations in the reactor. This contribution will focus on using pure CH₄ or a gas mixture of CO₂ and CH₄ for the production of H₂ or syngas. The analysis of the composition of the product gases is challenging, as e.g. solid carbon and condensed water are not detected using the gas analysis techniques (gas chromatography or mass spectrometry).

Keywords: Microwave plasma; Gas conversion