(104b) Hydrogen Plasma Applications in Critical Materials Recycling

This paper will present our research progress on critical materials recycling using hydrogen plasma.

Recently hydrogen plasma has gained attention in the field of metal production due to its unique properties and applications. Hydrogen plasma can be produced through various methods, including arc discharge, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and microwave plasma techniques. These methods ionize hydrogen gas, creating a state where electrons and ions coexist. Hydrogen plasma serves as a reducing agent in metallurgical processes. It can effectively reduce metal oxides and other precursors to pure metals, which is particularly useful for critical materials. Using hydrogen as a reducing agent can significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional methods that rely on fossil fuels.

Our current research aims to optimize hydrogen plasma processes for critical materials recycling, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Advances in the technology could broaden the applicability of this method in various industries.