In brief
P2M2X is developing an innovative plasma membrane reactor for the direct splitting of CO₂ into carbon monoxide and oxygen. By integrating the plasma and separation processes into a single electrified system, a scalable technology is being created for utilising CO₂ as a feedstock and for supplying climate-neutral carbon building blocks for industrial value chains.
What we’re working on
Motivation
The electrification of the chemical industry is a key building block on the path to a climate-neutral economy. In addition to electrochemistry, other technologies – such as the use of plasmas – can also make a significant contribution. P2M2X focuses here on synthesis gas (syngas) production and enables a non-fossil drop-in solution with the potential to operate existing assets and downstream value chains in a climate-neutral manner.
Innovative approach
This project involves the development of a novel reactor that combines a plasma source and a membrane in a way that enables significantly higher separation efficiency than previous systems. In particular, a so-called ‘glow-to-arc discharge plasma’ (GAD) is utilised. A GAD plasma offers flexibility to control the temperature distribution within the plasma. This temperature control is key to effective oxygen separation.
Implementation and Added Value
The industry-led P2M2X project aims to split CO₂ into industrially usable CO via an electrified process, with the energy supplied in form of a GAD plasma. A separation process is integrated into this splitting process within the same reactor, which increases product yield and enables a compact, space-saving plant. Thanks to a modular approach, the innovative technology to be developed is easily scalable and adaptable to different CO₂ sources (point sources or DAC). There is significant demand, particularly from the chemical industry, for alternative sources of CO. The commercial exploitation of the P2M2X process is being carried out by Cyclize GmbH. It will be offered on the market as a complement to the existing portfolio. The partners – Fraunhofer IGB and the University of Stuttgart, ipv-EES – ensure the scientific exploitation of the project. Given the novelty of the approach, there are good prospects for extensive publication activities.
Cyclize is a ClimateTech spin-off from the University of Stuttgart and develops plasma-based technologies to defossilise the chemical industry. The company converts complex mixed waste and CO₂ into drop-in syngas, which can be directly integrated into existing chemical production processes and used as a building block for chemicals, hydrogen or e-fuels.
The P2M2X project is part of the Greentech Solutions division. Here, membranes are being developed for the separation and utilisation of CO₂ and H₂. The project involves the development of mixed-conducting ceramic hollow-fibre membranes that can be used to selectively separate oxygen from other gases at high temperatures.
Institute for Photovoltaics – Electrical Energy Storage Systems
The University of Stuttgart has a strong focus on engineering sciences and, through the ‘Stuttgart Way’, boasts a long tradition of interdisciplinary research. The P2M2X project is based at the ipv-EES and is linked to an excellent research network through the Stuttgart Research Interface CHEMampere. The P2M2X project draws on existing expertise in the field of plasma-based Power-to-X processes and involves the construction and research-based operation of an integrated laboratory facility at the WAVE-H2 Campus in Vaihingen.
