Solar-thermal dissociation of methane in a fluid-wall aerosol flow reactor

A fluid-wall aerosol flow reactor has been used to thermally dissociate methane to carbon black and hydrogen. The reactor was heated to temperatures in excess of 2000 K by concentrated sunlight. Approximately 90% conversion of methane to hydrogen has been obtained at a reactor wall temperature of 2133 K and an average residence time of 0.01 s. The carbon black produced by reaction is ash free, amorphous, and has primary particle sizes of 20–40 nm. The results of an energy balance as well as conclusions from studies designed to evaluate the effect of co-feeding carbon black particles into the reactor are discussed.