title: Carbon dioxide elimination and regeneration of resources in a microwave plasma torch.
abstract: Carbon dioxide gas as a working gas produces a stable plasma-torch by making use of 2.45 GHz microwaves. The temperature of the torch flame is measured by making use of optical spectroscopy and a thermocouple device. Two distinctive regions are exhibited, a bright, whitish region of a high-temperature zone and a bluish, dimmer region of a relatively low-temperature zone. The bright, whitish region is a typical torch based on plasma species where an analytical investigation indicates dissociation of a substantial fraction of carbon dioxide molecules, forming carbon monoxides and oxygen atoms. The emission profiles of the oxygen atoms and the carbon monoxide molecules confirm the theoretical predictions of carbon dioxide disintegration in the torch. Various hydrocarbon materials may be introduced into the carbon dioxide torch, regenerating new resources and reducing carbon dioxide concentration in the torch. As an example, coal powders in the carbon dioxide torch are converted into carbon monoxide according to the reaction of CO2 + C → 2CO, reducing a substantial amount of carbon dioxide concentration in the torch. In this regards, the microwave plasma torch may be one of the best ways of converting the carbon dioxides into useful new materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 20 Gwangun-ro, Nowon-Gu, Seoul 01897, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hsuhm@kw.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Han S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Uhm
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Kwangwoon University, 20 Gwangun-ro, Nowon-Gu, Seoul 01897, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: Plasma Technology Research Center, National Fusion Research Institute, 37 Dongjangsan-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do 54004, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D003031:Coal; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008872:Microwaves; D010100:Oxygen; D012038:Regeneration; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D003031:Coal; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D010100:Oxygen
keywords: CO(2) convert; CO(2) elimination; Carbon dioxide; Microwave plasma; Plasma