A solar-thermal aerosol flow reactor has been constructed, installed, and tested with the High-Flux Solar Furnace (HFSF) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Experiments
were successfully carried out for the dissociation of methane to produce hydrogen and carbon
black and for the dry reforming of methane with carbon dioxide to form syngas (hydrogen and
carbon monoxide). Approximately 90% dissociation of methane was achieved in a 25-mm diameter
quartz reaction tube illuminated with a solar flux of 2400 kW/m2 (or suns). The carbon black
produced was amorphous and had a particle size of 20 to 40 nm. Approximately 70% conversion
was achieved for dry reforming using a solar flux of 2000 kW/m2. The experimental results for
both processes are very encouraging and support further work to address the technical issues
and to develop the processes.
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