Mitigating climate change requires the development of technologies that combine energy and transport sectors. One of them is the production of sustainable fuels from electricity and carbon dioxide (CO₂) via power-to-liquid (PtL) plants. As one option for splitting CO₂, plasma-based processes promise a high potential due to their flexibility, scalability, and theoretically high efficiencies. This work includes a modeling and techno-economic analysis. A crucial element is the process of the joint project PlasmaFuel, in which two plasma technologies are included in a PtL plant to produce synthetically sulfur-free marine diesel. The results are divided into three scenarios, which differ in the use of different boundary conditions and thus represent different degrees of technology development. The evaluation results in process efficiencies from 16.5% for scenario 2018/20 to 27.5% for scenario 2050, and net production costs between EUR 8.5/L and EUR 3.5/L. Furthermore, the techno-economic potential is mapped in order to open up development steps in the direction of costs below EUR 2.0/L. The present work allows statements regarding system integration and the industrial use of the plasma-based process.; moreover, conclusions can be drawn towards the most important levers in terms of process optimization.

Plasma technology reaches rapidly increasing efficiency in catalytic applications. One such application is the splitting reaction of CO₂ to oxygen and carbon monoxide. This reaction could be a cornerstone of power-to-X processes that utilize electricity to produce value-added compounds such as chemicals and fuels. However, it poses problems in practice due to its highly endothermal nature and challenging selectivity. In this communication a glow discharge plasma reactor is presented that achieves high energy efficiency in the CO₂ splitting reaction. To achieve this, a magnetic field is used to increase the discharge volume. Combined with laminar gas flow, this leads to even energy distribution in the working gas. Thus, the reactor achieves very high energy efficiency of up to 45% while also reaching high CO₂ conversion efficiency. These results are briefly explained and then compared to other plasma technologies. Lastly, cutting edge energy efficiencies of competing technologies such as CO₂ electrolysis are discussed in comparison.

Analysis and calculation of Germany's climate politics and hydrogen strategy, with a focus on the technical demand for hydrogen implementation through a case study of the chemical industry that engages multiple stakeholders.

This work presents advancements in a rotating glow-to-arc plasma reactor, designed for stable gas conversion of robust molecules like CO₂, N₂, and CH₄. Plasma-based systems play a critical role in Power-to-X research, offering electrified, sustainable pathways for industrial gas conversion. Here, we scaled the reactor’s power from 200 W to 1.2 kW in a CO₂ plasma, which introduced instability due to uplift forces and arc behavior. These were mitigated by integrating silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic foam as a mechanical restriction, significantly enhancing stability by reducing arc movement, confining convection, and balancing volumetric flow within the arc. Using high-speed camera analysis and in situ electronic frequency measurements, we identified dominant frequencies tied to operational parameters, supporting potential in operando monitoring and control. Arc-rotation frequencies from 5 to 50 Hz and higher frequencies (500 to 2700 Hz) related to arc chattering reveal the system’s dynamic response to power and flow changes. Furthermore, refining the specific energy input ($SEI$) to account for plasma residence time allowed for a more precise calculation of effective $SEI$, optimizing energy delivery to target molecules. Our findings underscore the reactor’s promise for scalable, efficient gas conversion in sustainable energy applications.

Direct air capture (DAC) technologies offer a promising approach to mitigate anthropogenic climate change by enabling net negative emissions. CO₂ absorption using NaOH represents an efficient solution within the proposed BlueFire carbon cycle, which integrates DAC with plasma technology for syngas production. Optimizing a DAC plant control relies on understanding the pH profile as a key parameter. A bubble column absorption model with pure CO₂ was experimentally adapted for a counter‐current flow setup with ambient air, reproducing a staged pH decrease. An optimal absorption endpoint was determined by identifying the maximum slope of the pH decline, indicating high reaction progress. X‐ray diffraction analysis of the absorption products validated the theoretical model of carbonate formation.

This study combines theoretical and experimental approaches to systematically link plasma dynamics with reaction engineering. A novel reactor design with laminar gas flow and magnetically induced nonthermal plasma rotation enables precise determination of residence times and effective plasma volumes. Two complementary models‐from gas‐phase and discharge‐channel perspectives‐quantify gas–plasma interaction and derive effective energy input parameters such as the effective specific energy input. Introducing a normalized voltage allows reactor‐scale comparison, distinguishing smooth reattachment (≥30 V/mm _dE ) from restrike regimes (<20 V/mm _dE ). Experimentally, doubling the magnetic flux density increased the rotation frequency from 21 to 80 Hz and CO ₂ conversion (2.4% → 4.8%) while reducing energy input from 1.2 to 0.3 eV/molecule each plasma pulse. Scaling the cathode diameter from 30 to 100 mm enabled plasma powers above 1.5 kW, with conversion limited by arc stability rather than power. Theoretical analysis indicated plasma coverage ratios up to 90% in optimized configurations. Further improvements through magnetic field tuning, operation near the glow‐to‐arc transition, and enhanced quenching could raise overall CO ₂ conversion beyond 50%. By embedding reaction‐engineering metrics into plasma characterization, this work establishes a quantitative framework for optimizing rotating arcs towards energy‐efficient CO ₂ splitting.