Lecture
Van Marum Colloquium: Plasma Chemistry to aid the Energy and Materials Transition in the Process Industry
- Date
- Tuesday 9 April 2024
- Time
- Location
-
Gorlaeus Building
Einsteinweg 55
2333 CC Leiden - Room
- CE0.18
Abstract
A carbon neutral and circular economy will rely on utilization of waste materials and biomass as feedstock for the production of new materials. Its energy input must be of zero carbon footprint, which implies intermittent electricity. Some of the challenges encountered in the transition towards such an economy may be addressed by plasma technology. Particularly its compatibility with (intermittent) sustainable energy and unique opportunities for efficiency and/or selectivity in reactions with CO2, N2, and CH4 inspire our research in the context of the process industry at Chemelot. This presentation discusses the use cases of CO2 activation for the synthesis of fuels and chemicals and CH4 valorisation via carbon coupling to illustrate the plasma opportunities. These insights are used to draft a roadmap for industrial implementation of the technology for direct production of ethylene (C2H4), an important building-block for the chemical industry.