Abstract
C3PO aims to design, build and validate the first high-throughput plasma-catalytic reactor for selective hydrogenation of CO2 into methanol (CH3OH). CH3OH is a versatile fuel and chemical feedstock, yet conventional production from CO2 is energy-intensive. Plasma catalysis offers a disruptive alternative at near-ambient conditions, but current dielectric barrier discharge reactors face limitations in selectivity, scalability and reliable product quantification. C3PO addresses these limitations by integrating 3D porous monolith catalysts (honeycomb/foam structures) that ensure microscale plasma-catalyst proximity, enabling true plasma-catalyst synergy. This architecture permits precise tuning of the reduced electric field (E/N) to favour vibrational activation of CO2 and enhances CH3OH selectivity. The approach also enables larger plasma volumes and higher throughput without pressure buildup, providing a pathway towards industrial relevance. The project is structured into four interconnected work packages: (i) reactor design/construction to sustain stable plasma in 3D catalysts, (ii) computational fluid dynamics and plasma modelling to identify optimum void size and E/N, (iii) synthesis/characterisation of robust 3D catalysts with uniform coatings, and (iv) experimental validation with accurate online product analysis, culminating in a proof-of-concept demonstration of scalability. C3PO will facilitate transition towards a climate-neutral and circular economy.
Researcher(s)
Research team(s)
Project website
Project type(s)