Plasma cracking of methane and biogas for sustainable hydrogen carbon black or syngas production
Year: 2025
Type: other
Abstract: The presentation “Plasma Cracking of Methane and Biogas for Sustainable Hydrogen, Carbon Black or Syngas Production” introduces two research projects at the Competence Center for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (CC4E), Hamburg University of Applied Sciences that explore microwave plasma-based decarbonization technologies for sustainable fuel production. The first project, MEDEA (Methane Decarbonization Using Microwave Low-Temperature Plasma Cracking), investigates the CO₂-free production of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon black (C) from methane (CH₄). The process requires only one-seventh of the energy of conventional electrolysis while avoiding water consumption and direct carbon dioxide emissions. Experimental results demonstrate stable operation at 5–20 Nm³/h methane flow and 4–10 kW microwave power, achieving H₂ yields up to 35 mol %. The follow-up project Plasma2X adapts the plasma cracking process for the generation of syngas (H₂:CO = 0.5–3:1) from methane, biogas, and CO₂. Early tests show syngas yields up to 85 %, adjustable gas composition for Fischer–Tropsch and methanol synthesis, and rapid start-up capability, enabling flexible integration into sector-coupled energy systems. Overall, the research demonstrates that microwave plasma cracking provides an efficient and scalable pathway toward carbon-neutral hydrogen and synthetic fuels, while valorizing carbon as a co-product rather than emitting it as CO₂.
DOI: 10.48441/4427.2959
Authors: Birth-Reichert, Torsten, Kapust, Jan-Malte, Zachariassen, Hendrik
Language: English
Subfield: Catalysis
Field: Chemical Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7107943572