Generation and interactions of plasmas with acoustic waves in piezoelectric materials: From fundamentals to the development of microreactors for reactive gas-phase processes
Principal Investigator Manuel Olivas Ramírez Funding Organization: Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities Code: PID2023-147916NA-I00
Research Team: Ana María Gómez Ramírez, Manuel Oliva Ramírez, María del Carmen García Martínez, Miguel Camacho Aguilar, Agustín Rodríguez González-Elipe, Guillermo Fernando Regodon Harkness, Mateo Ruíz Martín.
Principal Investigator Ana María Gómez Ramírez / Manuel Olivas Ramírez Funding Organization: Ministry of Science and Innovation Code: TED2021-130124A-I00
Research Team: Ana María Gómez Ramírez, Rafael Álvarez Molina, José Cotrino Bautista, Manuel Oliva Ramírez, María del Carmen García Martínez, Alberto Palmero Acebedo, Agustín Rodríguez González-Elipe, Servando Marín Meana, Antonio José Márquez Alcaide, Guillermo Fernando Regodon Harkness, Adrián Megías Sánchez.
La emisión de CO2 representa actualmente un 77% de las emisiones totales de gases de efecto invernadero con origen antropogénico, propiciando un aumento paulatino del calentamiento global del planeta con las consecuentes y nefastas repercusiones medioambientales que ello supone. Por tanto, es indudable la necesidad de propiciar una transición hacia una economía donde el uso intensivo de combustibles fósiles no sea el eje prioritario, favoreciendo el desarrollo de procedimientos de transformación y aprovechamiento químicos respetuosos con el medio ambiente mediante el uso de fuentes energéticas alternativas. El proyecto “Desarrollo de plasmas intermitentes operados con electricidad renovable para la eliminación y revalorización de CO2”, RENOVACO2, pretende el desarrollo de tecnologías de plasma atmosférico que usan la electricidad como vector energético directo para llevar a cabo procesos químicos convencionalmente abordados mediante técnicas catalíticas, que involucran altas presiones y temperaturas y usan catalizadores térmicos con elementos contaminantes y de difícil reciclado.
Principal Investigator Ana María Gómez Ramírez Funding Organization: Ministry of Science and Innovation Code: PID2020-114270RA-I00
Research Team: José Javier Brey Sánchez, José Cotrino Bautista, Ana María Gómez Ramírez, María del Carmen García Martínez, Antonio Rodero Serrano, Paula de Navascués Garvín, Manuel Oliva Ramíre, Servando Marín Meana, Mateo Ruíz Martín
The need to promote an effective transition from an economy based on the intensive use of fossil fuels to one in which development is grounded in sustainable processes that do not involve CO₂ emissions makes it essential to develop new approaches where the primary energy source is electricity generated from renewable resources. The project “Sliding Arc Atmospheric Plasmas for Sustainable Processes” (hereafter, FIREBOW) aims to develop atmospheric plasma technologies that use electricity as a direct energy vector to carry out chemical processes traditionally addressed through catalytic techniques (typically involving high pressures and temperatures, low efficiencies, and the formation of undesired by-products).
Specifically, the project seeks to design and optimize a Sliding Arc Atmospheric Plasma (SAAP) reactor to drive three processes with major industrial and environmental impact: ammonia (NH₃) synthesis, hydrogen (H₂) production, and water decontamination. Ammonia is the key component in fertilizers used in agriculture, and its demand continues to grow in line with global food needs. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is widely recognized as a cornerstone in the transition toward a sustainable energy economy. In addition, the development of innovative water treatment technologies is increasingly necessary due to the rise of emerging pollutants—such as pesticides, pharmaceutical and chemical compounds, microorganisms, and even personal care products—that conventional methods are unable to fully remove.
In a first stage, FIREBOW will focus on the development of SAAP technology through the design, construction, modelling, and optimization of a sliding arc reactor. Potential modifications to existing reactor designs will be explored, including the incorporation of piezoelectric materials to induce secondary electron emission phenomena, the modification of electrode surface properties, and changes in system geometry, all aimed at improving process efficiency in future applications.
Given the complexity of the fundamental processes involved in this type of reactor, a detailed study will be conducted on its electrical response, as well as on mass and charge transport phenomena. This will be complemented by a thorough characterization and diagnosis of the plasma under varying conditions, including gas flow, interactions between excited species, residence time, and other key operational parameters. Both experimental characterization and theoretical simulation—carried out using computational methods—will be essential for the proper functioning and optimization of the proposed processes.
In a second stage, the project will address the study of reactions for H₂ and NH₃ production, with the aim of maximizing their energy efficiency, as well as the application of the technology to water purification.
The scientific and technological developments proposed in FIREBOW are of significant interest to various socio-economic stakeholders, and technology transfer activities are envisaged with companies and institutions that have already expressed interest in its development.
Renewable Electricity-Powered Plasma-Catalysis for CO2 Revalorization Process
REPCO2 Grant agreement ID: 101207816 01/09/2025 – 31/08/2027
Principal Investigator Ángeles López Martín Funding Organization: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Code: 101207816
Research Team: Anna G Scott, Sergey Peredkov, Angeles Lopez-Martin, Richard J Lewis, Graham J Hutchings, Serena DeBeer
Atmospheric pressure plasma catalysis for CO2 valorisation
The rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels highlights the need for effective solutions to reduce emissions. Non-thermal plasma catalysis offers an energy-efficient alternative, operating at room temperature and activating molecules under mild conditions. This approach can enhance chemical and energy yields. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the REPCO2 project will develop technology for CO2 valorisation by creating new atmospheric pressure plasma configurations and exploring cost-effective, environmentally friendly catalysts. The candidate will synthesise copper-based catalysts supported on zeolites, enhancing plasma-induced CO2 hydrogenation and dry reforming of methane (DRM) through improved diffusion of reactants and plasma species. This approach may also reduce catalyst deactivation and increase the commercial viability of the systems.
