Disclosed are example efficient circuits that produce spark discharges for hydrocarbon conversion (or treatment of other mixtures) using a high-voltage rectified DC supply to discharge a capacitor (either internal or external) across a two-electrode gap, optimized to minimize waste energy by operating in a constant current, approximately-constant current, or constant power mode. The circuits may operate off of a standard electrical supply line (e.g. 120 VAC or 240 V AC, 60 Hz, single-phase or multi-phase). The disclosed approach is scalable to any number of discharge gaps while maintaining similar pulse characteristics and electrical efficiency.

A system is described that is capable of operating as an energy conversion system that functions as a fuel cell and generates electrical current from a fuel or fuels, or as a reactor for conversion of starter materials into more complex molecules through ion-ion and ion-molecules and which may preferably be adapted to operate as a gas to liquid (GTL) process. The system ionises at least one fuel or starter material and manipulates, selects and transports ions for reaction by means of suitable electrostatic or electrodynamic ion guides, filters or drift tubes. The system of the present application replaces the electrolyte, catalyst and/or membrane found in classic fuel cells or GTL processes with an electrostatic or electrodynamic ion manipulation region such as an ion guide, analyser, drift tube or filter.

Disclosed is a plasma surface treatment apparatus for conductive powder. The plasma surface treatment apparatus for conductive powder comprises: a reaction chamber including a linear gas inlet at the lower end thereof and a gas outlet at the upper end thereof, and having a vertical cross section that is funnel-shaped; and a plasma jet generation device that is located below the linear gas inlet and is configured to discharge a plasma jet into the reaction chamber from below in an upward direction through the linear gas inlet, wherein powder is accommodated in the reaction chamber and is treated by plasma while buoyed by the plasma jet.

A method of converting a hydrocarbon-based material into acetylene or ethylene according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a supply step of supplying a gaseous or liquid hydrocarbon-based material to a plasma reactor, and a temperature control step of creating a temperature condition of a decomposition reaction of converting the hydrocarbon-based material into acetylene or ethylene in a reaction space in the plasma reactor.

Disclosed are a multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) formed using arc discharge and a method for manufacturing the same. The carbon source of the anode and boron that is the doping source, are evaporated through arc discharge and then deposited on the surface of the cathode to form MWCNTs, and boron is evenly distributed in the multi-walls of the MWCNTs. Therefore, the outer diameter of the MWCNT is reduced, high thermal stability is secured, and the effect of improving the field emission characteristics can be obtained.

The invention provides a system and method for conversion of raw syngas and tars into refined syngas, while optionally minimizing the parasitic losses of the process and maximizing the usable energy density of the product syngas. The system includes a reactor including a refining chamber for refining syngas comprising one or more inlets configured to promote at least two flow zones: a central zone where syngas and air/process additives flow in a swirling pattern for mixing and combustion in the high temperature central zone; at least one peripheral zone within the reactor which forms a boundary layer of a buffering flow along the reactor walls, (b) plasma torches that inject plasma into the central zone, and (c) air injection patterns that create a recirculation zone to promotes mixing between the high temperature products at the core reaction zone of the vessel and the buffering layer, wherein in the central zone, syngas and air/process additives mixture are ignited in close proximity to the plasma arc, coming into contact with each other, concurrently, at the entrance to the reaction chamber and method of using the system.

An apparatus for forming a C1 to C5 oxygenate from carbon dioxide and a C1 to C4 hydrocarbon is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon and an outlet for the oxygenates. In one example the passageway includes therein a catalyst. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide in reacted with the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon in the generated plasma, thereby forming the oxygenates from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the C1 to C4 hydrocarbon. The DBD device comprises a conducting liquid as a ground electrode. A method and a use are also described.

An apparatus for forming methane from carbon dioxide and hydrogen is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen and an outlet for the methane and including therein a catalyst comprising nickel and alumina. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide is exposed to the catalyst in the presence of the hydrogen in the generated plasma, thereby forming the methane from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen. A method, a use and a catalyst are also described.

An apparatus for forming C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from carbon dioxide and hydrogen is described. The apparatus comprises: a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD, device arranged to generate a plasma; and a passageway having an inlet for the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen and an outlet for the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof and including therein a catalyst comprising nickel and/or cobalt and/or copper on a support. The passageway extends, at least in part, through the DBD device wherein, in use, the carbon dioxide is exposed to the catalyst in the presence of the hydrogen in the generated plasma, thereby forming the C1 to C5 alcohol, carboxylic acid, or mixture thereof from at least some of the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen. The DBD devices comprises a water electrode. A method and a catalyst are also described.

Apparatus and methods are provided that are capable of mass production of particulate materials, such as graphene particulates. The apparatus comprises an ignition assembly that comprises readily interchangeable electrode cassettes and that may be configured to self-clean in between the combustion cycles in which the particulate materials are generated. Methods of generating the particulate materials require low energy inputs in order to initiate the combustion reaction, which is then self-sustaining until the reactants are depleted.