Carbons as Catalysts in Thermo-Catalytic Hydrocarbon Decomposition: A Review

Abstract

Thermo-catalytic decomposition is well-suited for the generation of hydrogen from natural gas. In a decarbonization process for fossil fuel—pre-combustion—solid carbon is produced, with potential commercial uses including energy storage. Metal catalysts have the disadvantages of coking and deactivation, whereas carbon materials as catalysts offer resistance to deactivation and poisoning. Many forms of carbon have been tested with varied characterization techniques providing insights into the catalyzed carbon deposition. The breadth of studies testing carbon materials motivated this review. Thermocatalytic decomposition (TCD) rates and active duration vary widely across carbons tested. Regeneration remains rarely investigated but does appear necessary in a cyclic TCD–partial oxidation sequence. Presently, studies making fundamental connections between active sites and deposit nanostructures are few.

Concentrated solar energy‐driven carbon black catalytic thermal decomposition of methane

“…The mechanism for C grains catalyzed CH 4 decomposition is not fully clear 21 . Recent reviews of C substances as catalysts in the thermos‐catalytic decomposition of CH 4 are provided in References 10, 22, and 23. Atomic‐level simulations are provided in Reference 24.…”

“…The co-product CB particles have commercial value. 22 A 4 kg of CH 4 is used to produce 3 kg of CB and 1 kg of H 2 .…”

“…The minimum energy demand for the splitting of the water molecule is also the higher heating value of H 2 , 286 kJ mol −1 (141.80 MJ/kg). The co‐product CB particles have commercial value 22 . A 4 kg of CH 4 is used to produce 3 kg of CB and 1 kg of H 2 .…”

Introducing Methane Activation

“…Unlike hydrogen from the methane reforming processes, high-purity hydrogen without CO or CO 2 is directly acquired from TCD, and no further separation is needed. Besides, value-added nanocarbon is the only by-product, and the type of formed carbon (e.g., carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, or amorphous carbons) depends on the operating conditions [48][49][50]. Both metal and carbon materials are active TCD catalysts, and their optimal operating temperature ranges are 700-1100 K and 1100-1300 K, respectively [41].…”

Hydrogen production by methane decomposition over Ni-doped activated carbons: effect of the activation method

“…Different processes have been developed to replace the conventional hydrogen production technology such as Steam Reforming of Methane (SRM), Dry Reforming of methane (DRM) [5] or combined processes such as tri-reforming with a mixture of CO 2 , H 2 O and CH 4 [6,7]. One of the alternatives under study is the thermocatalytic decomposition of methane which seems to have several advantages over SRM [8][9][10]. Catalytic Decomposition of Methane (CDM) produces no CO/CO 2 and therefore eliminates the need for water gas shift and CO 2 removal.…”