Systems and methods for plasma based synthesis of graphitic materials. The system includes a plasma forming zone configured to generate a plasma from radio-frequency radiation, an interface element configured to transmit the plasma from the plasma forming zone to a reaction zone, and the reaction zone configured to receive the plasma. The reaction zone is further configured to receive feedstock material comprising a carbon containing species, and convert the feedstock material to a product comprising the graphitic materials in presence of the plasma.

A nanostructure includes a plurality of substantially spherically curved carbon layers having diameters in a range of 1 nanometer to 1000 nanometers and a plurality of halogen atoms attached to an outer convex side of the carbon layers. A composition of matter includes a liquid fuel and an additive including at least one liquid and a plurality of carbon nano-onions. A method of fabricating an additive for liquid fuel includes creating a carbon-based material using a plasma in an environment including at least one hydrocarbon gas and/or at least one liquid containing hydrocarbons, organometallic metal-complex, and/or element-organic compounds, evaporating organic material from the carbon-based material, halogenating the carbon-based material, and extracting carbon nano-onions from the halogenated carbon-based material.

The present invention describes a plasma reactor for processing natural gas and/or light hydrocarbons, including biomethane and biogas, with a plasma torch that does not require the use of cathode shielding gas (shielding gas), as well as a process for reforming using a plasma reactor for the production of synthesis gas and carbonaceous materials from natural gas and/or light hydrocarbons.

A waste conversion apparatus and a method of implementing the apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes a control system, and a feedstock analysis system or output analysis system. A plasma forming device within a reactor of the waste conversion apparatus is controlled by the control system to apply a plasma arc to a supply of waste feedstock supplied to the system. Integrated feedback control is provided to the plasma forming device based on an analysis by the feedback analysis system to characterize of the supply of waste feedstock, and/or an analysis by the output analysis system to characterize a gas product from the reactor.

A torch stinger apparatus may comprise one or more sets of plasma generating electrodes and at least one hydrocarbon injector contained within the electrodes. The electrodes may be concentric. The at least one hydrocarbon injector may be cooled. A method of making carbon particles using the apparatus is also described.

Systems and methods for eliminating carbon dioxide and capturing solid carbon are disclosed. By eliminating carbon dioxide gas, e.g., from an effluent exhaust stream of a fossil fuel fired electric power production facility, the inventive concepts presented herein represent an environmentally-clean solution that permanently eliminates greenhouse gases while at the same time producing captured solid carbon products that are useful in various applications including advanced composite material synthesis (e.g., carbon fiber, 3D graphene) and energy storage (e.g., battery technology). Capture of solid carbon during the disclosed process for eliminating greenhouse gasses avoids the inefficiencies and risks associated with conventional carbon dioxide sequestration. Colocation of the disclosed reactor with a fossil fuel fired power production facility brings to bear an environmentally beneficial, and financially viable approach for permanently capturing vast amounts of solid carbon from carbon dioxide gas and other greenhouse gases that would otherwise be released into Earth's biosphere.

Disclosed is a system and method related to removal of carbon from carbon dioxide via the use of plasma arc heating techniques. The method involves generating C atoms and H atoms from C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves generating graphite and H.sub.2 from the C atoms and H atoms, and extracting the graphite. The method involves quenching the H.sub.2 with C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving, at a generator, the quenched the H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y and generating electricity. The method involves generating a concentrated stream of H.sub.2 from the quenched H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving CO.sub.2 and the concentrated stream of H.sub.2 and generating C, O, and H atoms. The method involves receiving the C, O, and H atoms and generating graphite, wherein the graphite is extracted. In the hydrocarbon C.sub.xH.sub.y: x is an integer 1, 2, 3, . . . , and y=2x+2.

Disclosed is a system and method related to removal of carbon from carbon dioxide via the use of plasma arc heating techniques. The method involves generating C atoms and H atoms from C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves generating graphite and H.sub.2 from the C atoms and H atoms, and extracting the graphite. The method involves quenching the H.sub.2 with C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving, at a generator, the quenched the H.sub.2 and C.sub.YH.sub.y and generating electricity. The method involves generating a concentrated stream of H.sub.2 from the quenched H.sub.2 and C.sub.xH.sub.y. The method involves receiving CO.sub.2 and the concentrated stream of H.sub.2 and generating C, O, and H atoms. The method involves receiving the C, O, and H atoms and generating graphite, wherein the graphite is extracted. In the hydrocarbon C.sub.xH.sub.y: x is an integer 1, 2, 3, . . . , and y=2x+2.

The embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems, methods, and devices for producing materials having desired characteristics using microwave plasma. In some embodiments, performing an iterative process may be used to produce a material having desired characteristics, the process comprising forming a microwave plasma within the reaction chamber, analyzing the plasma to determine if properties of the plasma are within a range expected to produce the desired characteristics of the material; and adjusting, based on the analysis of the plasma, one or more parameters. In some embodiments, an extension tube is provided within a microwave plasma apparatus to extend the length of a microwave plasma.

The invention includes a gas processing system for transforming a hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into outflow gas products, where the system includes a gas delivery subsystem, a plasma reaction chamber, and a microwave subsystem, with the gas delivery subsystem in fluid communication with the plasma reaction chamber, so that the gas delivery subsystem directs the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the plasma reaction chamber, and the microwave subsystem directs microwave energy into the plasma reaction chamber to energize the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas, thereby forming a plasma in the plasma reaction chamber, which plasma effects the transformation of a hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the outflow gas products, which comprise acetylene and hydrogen. The invention also includes methods for the use of this gas processing system.