Current project A3 SFB 1316

Excitation transfer between molecules in transient atmospheric pressure plasmas

Aim of the project is a fundamental understanding of the excitation transfer between molecules and excited plasma species within a non-equilibrium plasma, its impact on the plasma chemistry and synergies with surface catalytic reactions. The plasma is generated by a capacity couple RF driven plasma jet with exchangeable glass plates for the introduction of different catalysts. It allows probing along the plasma channel, corresponding to different reaction times of a volume element within the plasma. The excitation and density of heteronuclear molecule within a plasma is studied utilizing FTIR. Mononuclear molecules molecules as well as excited noble gas species can be studied employing molecular beam mass spectroscopy and ionization threshold mass spectrometry, respectively.

Current project A6 SFB 1316

Micro plasma arrays

Micro cavity plasma arrays comprise of thousands of geometrically identical microcavities, which can be produced up to dimensions of several dm². Depending on the applied electrical field, polarity, and pressure the discharges extend out of the cavities. Thus, enclosing the array structure with a second dielectric at a small gap distance forms an in-plasma-catalyst reactor. These devices also allow to integrate dielectric, catalytic surfaces as the cavity bottom. Apart from direct gas reformation, plasma is also used to ‘clean’ and ’refresh’ occupied catalytic surface sites. The plasma parameters as well as the discharge distribution inside and above the cavities are strongly dependent on externally controllable parameters such as cavity dimension, pressure, and voltage.

Current Project B2 SFB 1316

Self-organisation of sub-µm surface structures stimulated by microplasma-generated reactive species and short-pulsed laser irradiation

The focus of the project is the laser-plasma-surface interaction for thin film generation. It is investigated how different reactive species, generated by a microplasma jet, interact with laser induced surface structures on a treated sample. Catalytic properties of a surface are observed to be modified by reordering of species, structuring the surface or modifying the morphology of the surface. Atomic oxygen, ozone & other molecular components will be measured by fluorescence spectroscopy (TA)LIF or absorption spectroscopy. Undetectable species distributions will be provided by models.

Current Project

Exhaust gas management for steel production

The aim of this project is the reprocessing of the emission from a blast furnace or from coke reduction for the production of high-quality chemicals. As a consequence, the CO₂ emission will be reduced to preserve the natural environment. A flexible technique is required, which can selectively influence the chemical reaction channels to regulate the changing overall composition before they are introduced to a catalytic process. Such a procedure is the combination of plasmas with catalytic reactive surfaces, which are analyzed by surface diagnostics as well as plasma diagnostics. The specific goal in the subproject L6 is the controlled removal of O₂ in a H₂, CH₄, N₂ dominated gas stream.

Completed Project

Me2H2

The project Me²H₂ aims at the development of processes for a climate-friendly production of hydrogen with minimal power consumption. Water electrolysis is the benchmark for future H₂ production without direct CO₂ emissions. If operated with renewable electricity, H₂ generation would also be climate-friendly with regard to upstream electricity generation. However, water electrolysis specifically consumes significantly more energy than today's industrial benchmark - the steam reforming of natural gas. Methane pyrolysis, on the other hand, would operate CO₂ free with a similarly low specific energy requirement as steam reforming. In project U2, plasma-heated processes for methane pyrolysis on a laboratory scale are under investigation.

Video

You can find a video of the project here: