Efficient plasma generation - Reactors with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) for gas conversion
Ref.-No. 6604
Keywords: Packed bed dielectric barrier discharge, plasma streamer, atmospheric pressure plasma, plasma catalysis, packed bed plasma reactor, air purification, gas conversion
Plasma consists of ionised gases: It can be generated at high temperatures and pressures and has a high energy. It can be used in gas conversion, for example, to accelerate chemical reactions. An invention by the Ruhr University Bochum makes the plasma generation process from gaseous fludia more energy-efficient by using structured dielectric barrier discharge (DBD).
The structure: The dielectric and the electrodes are regularly structured in order to arrange the plasma or streamer points identically. This design is particularly suitable for generating a large number of identical streamers. The dielectric plates, each of which has a flat electrical contact on the outside and periodically arranged dielectric structures on the inside, are positioned around a cavity. Additional dielectric bodies are periodically suspended between the dielectric plates so that the dielectric plates do not touch each other. In this way, a large number of uniform streamers can be produced, enabling improved process quality control.
Competitive Advantages
- Increased efficiency
- Gas or pollutant conversion
- Wide range of applications
Commercial Opportunities
The invention can increase the efficiency of packed-bed plasma reactors by up to 30 %. These are used in many different ways: For air purification and gas conversion as well as for surface treatment or for gas or pollutant conversion in order to accelerate chemical reactions, for example in industrial waste gas purification. The technology can also be used to convert natural gas into hydrogen. In general, the plasma reforming process can be used for the gas or pollutant conversion of carbon sources such as biogas, methane or CO2 into synthesis gases.
Current Status
Initial simulations and laboratory samples have been created to demonstrate the functional capability. A German patent application has been filed. We offer interested companies further development with the university's inventors or licensing of the technology.
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Technology concept formulated
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An invention from the Ruhr University Bochum.
