The purpose of the present invention is to provide a formic acid production method and a formic acid production system with high production efficiency and in low cost. It is a formic acid production method comprising: preparing a mixed solution by mixing a solution containing an organic substance with a metal oxide powder having a photocatalyst function; and producing a formic acid by irradiating a light to the mixed solution. Also, it is a formic acid production system comprising: a raw material charging unit into which a solution containing an organic substance and a metal oxide powder having a photocatalyst function are charged; an artificial photosynthesis reaction unit for reacting a mixed solution of the organic substance and the metal oxide powder by irradiating a sunlight or a light to the mixed solution; and a formic acid recovery unit for recovering a formic acid from the mixed solution after an artificial photosynthesis reaction.

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.

The invention includes apparatus and methods for instantiating hydrogen in a nanoporous carbon powder.

A system for disassociating molecules of a gas based on RF power. Characteristics of the RF power can be tuned to increase disassociation efficiency. The system can include a disassociation chamber configured to enclose a volume of a gas and a radio frequency (RF) power source configured to provide RF power to the disassociation chamber. The RF power source can include a radio-frequency generator configured to generate an electromagnetic (EM) radiation having a frequency between about 20 MHz and about 10 THz, a radio-frequency amplifier configured to amplify the generated EM radiation, and an output channel to direct the amplified EM radiation towards the volume of gas.

Structures of a particle containing a core and at least one shell, a metal oxide material of which is necessarily doped to ensure protection of a material of the core from photodegradation. The core can include any of a thermochromic material, a phase-change material, and a judiciously defined auxiliary material that in turn contains organic and/or polymeric material. Derivative products utilizing a plurality of such particles. Methodologies for producing such particles and derivative products.

The inventive concepts disclosed relate to the production of green and blue hydrogen from hydrocarbons using visible light (from a laser, lamp or sun) and defect-engineered boron-rich photocatalysts. We demonstrate that the environment of the B atoms in the lattice can be tuned to favor the dehydrogenation of desired hydrocarbons on reaction sites under visible light. In addition to the hydrogen produced in gas form, carbon atoms are captured by the catalyst and form structures of potential higher value for future applications. Further study of the dark carbonaceous product revealed a graphitic aspect of the material. These findings highlight a new functionality of 2D materials for visible light-assisted capture and conversion of hydrocarbons, with great potential for green hydrogen production—i.e, hydrogen produced from renewable energy and without the release of CO or CO.sub.2.

A method for chemical production includes applying electromagnetic heating to a composition that includes a catalytic component and an electromagnetic susceptor. Responsive to application of radio frequency energy, the electromagnetic susceptor causes the catalytic component to become heated. The heated electromagnetic susceptor and catalytic component interact with a chemical to form a product.

There is described a microwave pyrolysis process for the depolymerization of plastic for the production of monomers, waxes and heavy oils including the steps of: a) steam purge of the plastic from about 0.5% to about 50% w/w of a catalyst, in a media; b) pyrolysis of the plastic and the catalyst in the media with a microwave (MW) for a time sufficient to allow generation of heat providing a thermal treatment between 300° C. and 650° C. through absorption of microwaves by the catalyst and the media. The catalyst includes a compound having a high dielectric loss at the frequency of the MW to absorb microwaves, transfer heat to the plastic and initiate a pyrolysis reaction.

The invention includes apparatus and methods for instantiating hydrogen in a nanoporous carbon powder.