Scaling up microwave excited plasmas—An alternative technology for industrial decarbonization

The use of electricity for the industry's transition to a decarbonized economy requires optimization of the energy transfer to deliver efficient, cost-effective processes. Industrial demand for high-density plasmas over a wide pressure range has stimulated the use of microwave plasma (MWP) applications. In high-temperature processing, when microwaves of the correct frequency are absorbed by the plasma, the plasma particles absorb energy from the electromagnetic field and transfer it to the other particles through collisions, heating them. This rapid heating gives MWP properties that can be exploited to increase the conversion, selectivity, and/or energy efficiency of chemical processes. Here, we address questions raised by industrial users who wish to better understand the limitations of MWP applications.