Hydrogen via methane decomposition: an application for decarbonization of fossil fuels

Fossil fuel decarbonization is an emerging technological approach for significant reduction of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. CO2-free production of hydrogen via thermocatalytic decomposition of methane (natural gas) as a viable decarbonization strategy is discussed in this paper. The technical approach is based on a single-step decomposition (pyrolysis) of methane and other hydrocarbons over carbon-based catalysts in an air/water free environment. This approach eliminates the need for water–gas shift and CO2 removal stages, required by conventional processes (e.g. methane steam reforming), which significantly simplifies the process. Clean carbon is produced as a valuable byproduct of the process. The experimental data on the catalytic activity of different carbon-based catalysts in methane decomposition reaction are presented in this work. The paper also discusses various conceptual designs for the reactor suitable for decomposition of methane with production of hydrogen-rich gas and continuous withdrawal of elemental carbon.