EU project EffiTorch for CO2 conversion started

Carbon dioxide CO₂ is generally seen as a climate-damaging waste material. However, for the energy and resource transition, CO₂ represents the source for the carbon-based synthesis industry if fossil resources such as coal, crude oil and natural gas are excluded. 

EffiTorch addresses the innovative approach of converting CO₂ with organic waste using a microwave plasma torch. The product gas then largely consists of carbon monoxide CO and hydrogen H₂. After purification into syngas, it can be fed directly into the synthesis industry to build higher-value hydrocarbons. And this only with the help of electricity from renewable energies, CO₂ and organic waste.

In EffiTorch, the IGVP is studying the CO₂ microwave plasma process at atmospheric pressure and the interaction with bio-oils from waste materials. The interaction of the injected oil droplets with the CO₂ plasma will be of crucial importance for complete conversion into the desired product gas composition.