Non Equilibrium Plasma Assisted Conversion of Fossil Fuels without CO₂ Release

A new method of extracting the chemical energy from hydrocarbon fuels without the release of carbon dioxide is demonstrated. This novel approach has been made possible with non- equilibrium plasma. In addition to CO₂ and CO, there is a lesser known carbon oxide called carbon suboxide which can be polymerized to form thermodynamically stable substances. A process of converting hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen and carbon suboxide without the release of carbon dioxide using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma is described in detail. Thermodynamic calculations show energy of up to 78% for the production of hydrogen and carbon suboxide. Results from the analyses of the condensed by-products of the hydrocarbon conversion process are also discussed.