DBD Plasma Catalysis for Low-Temperature CO2 Hydrogenation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide hydrogenation processes face challenges in activating CO2 molecules due to their chemical inertness, requiring high temperature and pressure, and often result in competitive reactions like CO formation, limiting the selective production of C1 to C5 alcohols and carboxylic acids.
Innovation Solution
A plasma-catalytic process using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device with a catalyst comprising nickel and/or cobalt on a support, operating at ambient pressure and near room temperature, generates plasma to convert CO2 and H2 into C1 to C5 alcohols and carboxylic acids without additional heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional catalytic hydrogenation is used to convert CO2, then high temperature and pressure are required to overcome the activation barrier, but this leads to competitive reactions like CO formation through reverse water gas shift and limits selective production of oxygenates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and activation method by introducing non-thermal plasma to activate CO2 molecules at low temperatures, fundamentally altering the reaction conditions from thermal to non-thermal activation. This allows selective oxygenate production without the competitive CO formation that occurs at high temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces plasma as an intermediary medium to activate CO2 molecules. The plasma generates reactive species (electrons, ions, radicals) that facilitate CO2 activation and subsequent hydrogenation to oxygenates, serving as a mediator that enables low-temperature selective conversion
2Stability of the object's composition
If high temperature is applied to activate CO2 molecules, then CO2 activation is facilitated, but the simultaneous formation of CO through reverse water gas shift becomes the primary competitive reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the activation method from thermal to non-thermal plasma activation, allowing CO2 molecules to be activated at low temperatures where the reverse water gas shift reaction is suppressed, thus preventing CO formation while still achieving effective CO2 conversion
3Temperature
If low temperature operation is used for CO2 hydrogenation to methanol, then thermodynamic requirements are met, but a dynamic limitation occurs in CO2 activation
Solution Approach 1:
Plasma serves as an intermediary activation mechanism that overcomes the dynamic limitation of CO2 activation at low temperatures. The plasma-generated reactive species provide an alternative activation pathway that does not rely on thermal energy, thereby maintaining high CO2 conversion rates at low temperatures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process achieves high carbon dioxide conversion, selectivity, and yield of C1 to C5 alcohols and carboxylic acids, with energy efficiency, and flexibility to integrate with renewable energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
non-thermal plasma generated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma
Implementation Method 3
a catalyst comprising nickel and/or cobalt on a support
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for forming C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from carbon dioxide and hydrogen is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen and an outlet for the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof and including therein a catalyst comprising nickel and/or cobalt and/or copper on a support. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide is exposed to the catalyst in the presence of the hydrogen in the generated plasma, thereby forming the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen. The DBD devices comprises a water electrode. A method and a catalyst are also described.