HEPP Seminar Summer 2026 #7: C. Kranig / E. Hausten

Monday 1 Jun 2026, 16:00 → 17:00 Europe/Berlin

HGW-SR2 / GAR-D2

Gustavo Grenfell (Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics - Garching), René Bussiahn (IPP Bereich Greifswald)

https://eu02web.zoom-x.de/j/68203618730?pwd=0ftcdSo212mi4VamayjXSCmZX0tUZJ.1

Meeting-ID: 682 0361 8730
Kenncode: 267281

 

16:00 → 16:30 C. Kranig (P): CH4 conversion with a microwave plasma torch: towards the understanding of the dominant reaction mechanism

Speaker: Clemens Leonhard Kranig (IPP-Garching)

The use of microwave plasmas for converting various gases into value-added chemicals is a promising technology, as the process relies solely on electrical power input and offers short start-up times — both advantageous for integration with renewable energy systems in the context of energy storage. In this regard, methane (CH₄) is an attractive feedstock due to its high volumetric hydrogen (H₂) content. In a plasma torch, a plasma with gas temperatures of 4000–6000 K is generated, enabling endothermic reactions. This project investigates two different forms of methane conversion: methane pyrolysis (CH₄ → C_s + 2H₂) and dry reforming of methane (DRM)(CH₄ + CO₂ → 2CO + 2H₂ ). In addition to the main products of these two reactions, a variety of byproducts (C₂H₂, C₂H₄, H₂O) are produced, which reduces the hydrogen yield. To influence the selectivity by minimizing the of these byproducts of the process, a thorough understanding of the dominant reaction mechanism is necessary. In this presentation, I will present the performance results for CH₄ pyrolysis and DRM as a function of various parameters (pressure, flowrate, power, CH₄ vol.%). Additionally, I will provide an overview of the OES measurements conducted, which were used to determine the various plasma temperatures.

16:30 → 17:00 E. Hausten (P): Advancing high-𝛽 plasma equilibrium analysis for the Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator

Speaker: Edith Victoria Hausten (IPP Bereich Greifswald)