Technologies and services

SCOPE

Use of hydrogen as an energy source

Maturity Level

TRL 3

Development Level

Prototype

Protection Level

Power to heat by plasma flame  

Entity:

The proposed technology can be both a hydrogen generator and a hydrogen consumer. There are currently countless projects to convert furnaces and engines to operate as a heat source. The progressive substitution of gas burners in high-consumption furnaces would make it possible to reduce a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Plasma flame technology can help in this field. The operation can be performed with air alone or by boosting its burning capacity with hydrogen. A flame stage can function as a hydrogen burner. If several stages are combined, the results can be even more spectacular. Technology can make it possible to use water as a fuel by adding the necessary steps (adequate water supply, decomposition of the water and subsequent heat delivery). 

A shift towards efficient electrification is now necessary, allowing the use of renewable energies without losing characteristics. The generation of plasma flames by microwaves makes it possible to conserve the current energy characteristics by using electrical systems with renewable sources and without emissions of harmful gases. The replacement or support of gas burners by plasma burners allows multiple applications in tunnel ovens, intermittent (batch) ovens, rotary ovens, dryers, temperature curing systems, etc. 

Challenges met

  • Simplifying the hydrogen supply chain and use. 

Scope of application

Targeted at a market such as ceramic manufacturing, steel fabrication, foundries and related sectors. 

Main publications

Related projects

  • HESTÍA – Strategic technologies for energy generation and management. 
  • PRIME – New Pretreatment for Increased Recovery of High Value Added Metals from Printed Circuit Boards.

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