(RES) CARBONMETA UPDATE

Academics from the Universities of Oxford and Cardiff are working alongside CarbonMeta Technologies to turn plastic waste into clean hydrogen fuel and high-value carbon nanomaterials.

Using ‘microwave catalysis’ technology – custom-designed microwave machines – from the University of Oxford, CarbonMeta hopes to yield ‘high value products for industry’ – graphite (600 GBP per tonne), hydrogen (3,500 GBP per tonne), graphene (100,000 GBP per tonne), and carbon nanotubes (100,000 GBP per tonne).

Transforming one tonne of plastic using the microwave machines can take on average two hours, with the material reaching up to 600 degrees.

The firm is currently in discussion with investors in North Carolina to build a plant with the capacity to process 20 metric tonnes per day. According to CabonMeta, the operation of the scale will take 18 to 24 months to be functional, but it is ‘confident’ that it can scale ‘up to one tonne per day in as little as nine months’.

Upcycling plastic and construction waste to help address the world’s pollution and climate crises is a main aim for the company. Using its technology, CarbonMeta will be able to support the transition to two major sources of sustainable energy – hydrogen for transport or to heat homes and batteries for electric vehicles.

The business is based in Woodinville, Washington and is developing a ‘global reach predominantly based on British innovation’.

The catalyst, made from iron and aluminium due to their affordability, was developed by Peter Edwards' team at Oxford University. At ‘milder conditions’ – 600 degrees centigrade and at standard air pressure – it speeds up the rate of separation of hydrogen and carbon from any hydrocarbon (plastics, waxes, agricultural waste and food wastes).

When these hydrocarbons are processed with microwave radiation, the catalyst absorbs radiation and focuses that radiation on the carbon-hydrogen bonds that hold the hydrocarbons together. resource - link - Amelia Kelly - link - Hydrogen Fuel News (picture) - link - more like this (University of Oxford) - link - more like this (waste-to-hydrogen) - link