With non-equilibrium plasma, an alternative process of extracting energy from fossil fuels (coal, biomass, hydrocarbons etc) without the emission of CO2 is possible. Apart from CO and CO2, there exist carbon oxides which can be polymerized to form chemically and thermodynamically stable substances. These carbon oxides are known as carbon suboxides (C3O2). This method involves a novel process of extracting the chemical energy from fossil fuels without the emission of CO2 while producing hydrogen and carbon suboxide (a reddish, brown polymer) which is an important constituent of organic fertilizers. This approach has the capability of avoiding the drawbacks associated with combustion of fossil fuels. The conversion process and thermodynamic calculation of energy efficiencies of readily available hydrocarbon feed stocks such as biomass; natural gas and low quality coal (lignite and peat) into hydrogen and carbon suboxide are discussed.

Low temperature plasma conversion of hydrocarbon fuel without carbon dioxide emission

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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