A Duopresentation by Hans Linden, Senior Project Manager / Business Development, TNO and Gerard van Rooij, Professor and Head of Circular Chemical Engineering Department, Maastricht University / Researcher/ Group Leader, DIFFER - Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research
Plasma technology can be used to produce hydrogen from methane without CO2 emission, while also forming useful hydrocarbon compounds. This process involves heating to a high temperature using a plasma instead of natural gas.
During the production of ammonia and artificial fertilizer, hydrogen is extracted from natural gas (the main component of which is methane). As part of that process, CO2 is generated as a by-product and the majority of that is released into the atmosphere, thereby contributing to the total greenhouse gas emissions.
By making use of plasma technology, we can utilize methane in an effective way by converting it into hydrogen and high-quality hydrocarbons, such as acetylene and ethene, which forms the basis of plastics, without releasing any CO2.
