Project description
CO2 recycling and conversion to greener fuels using plasma catalysis
Reducing CO2 emissions is critical to slowing climate change, but reductions take time for a myriad of reasons. Capturing emitted CO2 is another way to reduce the emissions that reach the atmosphere. Recycling that CO2 is even better. Cold plasmas are weakly ionised gases with a small proportion of highly energetic electrons that can initiate chemical reactions with minimal energy. Teaming plasmas with catalysts will further contribute to fast reaction kinetics to overcome current barriers. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PIONEER project is developing innovative plasma/catalysis coupling systems to convert CO2 into hydrogen, methane, ethanol or methanol.
Objective
The main objective of the present ITN project is the formation of a new generation of experts in the subject of CO2
valorization using plasma-catalytic coupled processes. Plasma intensification of CO2 valorization processes, such as CO2
hydrogenation and dry reforming of methane, can greatly contribute to the stabilization of CO2 concentration in our
atmosphere through the production of synthetic fuels that will be involved in overall zero or near zero emission cycles. This
alternative utilization of yet C-based fuels will play an important role in our transition to a 100% renewable future. Chemical
and thermochemical CO2 valorization processes are hindered by very slow reaction kinetics. Catalysts are often used but,
most of the time, they either are not enough, or their utilization is not feasible under real operation conditions. The use of
plasmas in combination with a well-designed catalyst can turn this sluggish CO2 valorization processes feasible. There is
however a complete lack of knowledge about almost every aspect of this plasma-catalysis coupling. Research efforts will be
then directed towards the understanding of CO2 plasmas, their interaction with solid catalytic surfaces, the formation of
excited species and the fundamentals of the reaction mechanisms involved. Different plasmas and different catalysts are
needed. Novel reactor concepts need to be found. The PhD topics cover many different scientific disciplines: from the physics of plasmas to the physicochemical characterization of solid surfaces and catalysis. The students will be instructed in several fields, not only considering science but also other important skills, such as soft skills training, as well as specific
formation on managing, marketing and business skills along the duration of this project. To cloture this project a
European conference on Plasma Catalysis for CO2 Valorization and Green Chemistry is foreseen.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesplasma physics
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelssynthetic fuels
- natural scienceschemical sciencescatalysis
- natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryaliphatic compounds
Keywords
Programme(s)
Coordinator
75006 Paris
France
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Participants (11)
5612 AE Eindhoven
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Participation ended
YO10 5DD York North Yorkshire
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3526 KV Utrecht
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1049 001 Lisboa
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75794 Paris
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30-059 Krakow
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28006 Madrid
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050663 Bucuresti
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38122 Trento
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2000 Antwerpen
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L69 7ZX Liverpool
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Partners (10)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
30036 Santa Maria Di Sala
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
2500 064 Caldas Da Rainha
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
1018 DC Amsterdam
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
EC4A 4AB London
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
50009 Zaragoza
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
14032 Caen Cedex 5
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
91190 Gif-Sur-Yvette
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
86497 Horgau
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
91400 Orsay
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Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
5627 JM Eindhoven
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.