Publication
Title
Pinpointing energy losses in $CO_{2}$ plasmas : effect on $CO_{2}$ conversion
Author
Abstract
 Plasma technology is gaining increasing interest for CO2 conversion, but to maximize the energy efficiency, it is important to track the different energy transfers taking place in the plasma. In this paper, we study these mechanisms by a 0D chemical kinetics model, including the vibrational kinetics, for different conditions of reduced electric field, gas temperature and ionization degree, at a pressure of 100 mbar. Our model predicts a maximum conversion and energy efficiency of 32% and 47%, respectively, at conditions that are particularly beneficial for energy efficient CO2 conversion, i.e. a low reduced electric field (10 Td) and a low gas temperature (300 K). We study the effect of the efficiency by which the vibrational energy is used to dissociate CO2, as well as of the activation energy of the reaction CO2 + O → CO + O2, to elucidate the theoretical limitations to the energy efficiency. Our model reveals that these parameters are mainly responsible for the limitations in the energy efficiency. By varying these parameters, we can reach a maximum conversion and energy efficiency of 86%. Finally, we derive an empirical formula to estimate the maximum possible energy efficiency that can be reached under the assumptions of the model.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of CO2 utilization. - -
Publication
2018
ISSN
2212-9820
Volume/pages
24 (2018) , p. 479-499
ISI
000428234500054
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
 Faculty/Department Research group Project info Reactive Atmospheric Plasma processIng - eDucation network (RAPID).Modeling of a microwave plasma reactor for energy-efficient CO2 conversion. Publication type Subject Affiliation Publications with a UAntwerp address