Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
S. M. R. Mirkarimi, S. Bensaid, V. Negro, D. Chiaramonti
Summary: This article provides a review of recent studies on hydrogen production through methane cracking over carbon-based catalysts. The impact of operating parameters and catalyst characteristics on methane decomposition has been widely discussed.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mahdi Yousefi, Scott Donne
Summary: Non-catalytic thermal methane cracking (TMC) is a viable option for small-scale hydrogen generation. The use of a regenerative reactor can overcome the challenges of high temperatures and reactor blockages. Experimental results show that the storage medium in the regenerative reactor successfully provides the necessary heat for the reaction, resulting in high hydrogen yields. The temperature has a significant influence on the reaction rate initially, but its effect becomes less pronounced after reaching a certain hydrogen concentration. Furthermore, carbon black is the main type of carbon produced, with varying sizes ranging from 100 to 2000 nm. Pre-produced carbon in the reactor has minimal impact on the production rate.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Mohammad Hamdan, Layal Halawy, Nicolas Abdel Karim Aramouni, Mohammad N. Ahmad, Joseph Zeaiter
Summary: The study investigates the influence of catalyst performance in methane catalytic decomposition process, focusing on active metals, metal supports, and promoters. The findings suggest that selecting suitable metal supports and promoters can effectively improve catalyst activity and stability.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Mahdi Yousefi, Scott Donne
Summary: Hydrogen is essential for future clean, secure, and affordable energy scenarios. Interest has been growing in the development of small plants for hydrogen generation. Thermal methane cracking is an alternative process for high purity hydrogen production on a small or medium scale.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yu Wang, Junfeng Wang, Jianfeng Pan, Qingbo Lu, Feiyang Li, Evans K. Quaye
Summary: This study experimentally visualizes and analyzes the flame propagation process of methane-oxygen premixed gas with hydrogen addition in a rectangular combustor, and discusses the relationship between different flame behaviors and the hydrogen addition.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Emma Palo, Vittoria Cosentino, Gaetano Iaquaniello, Vincenzo Piemonte, Emmanuel Busillo
Summary: Currently, the majority of hydrogen production relies on CO2 emission-intensive methods such as natural gas reforming and coal gasification. Water-splitting electrolysis using renewable energy is a cleaner alternative, but it requires significant energy input. To promote the clean energy transition, it is crucial to develop low-carbon hydrogen production routes that can replace current methods and meet increasing demands. The utilization of methane cracking as an alternative to steam reforming coupled with CCS has gained attention. This article presents a model for the kinetic mechanisms involved in methane cracking with molten metals, validated using experimental data and used for reactor scaling.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Laurent Fulcheri, Vandad-Julien Rohani, Elliott Wyse, Ned Hardman, Enoch Dames
Summary: A novel thermal plasma process for economically viable commercial-scale hydrogen and carbon black production is introduced in detail. The selectivity and yield of solid carbon and gaseous hydrogen are emphasized. Lab scale reactor data demonstrates the technical viability, with methane feedstock conversions of >99%, hydrogen selectivity of >95%, solid recovery of >90%, and the ability to produce carbon particles of varying crystallinity. The energy intensity of this process is currently around 25 kWh per kg of H2 produced, significantly lower than water electrolysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Qiuling Zhao, Xiantao Zhang, Hongsheng Wang, Mingkai Liu, Sean-Thomas B. Lundin, Shili Shu, Hui Kong, Xuejiao Hu
Summary: This study proposes a thermochemical system driven by mid/low-temperature solar energy for natural gas desulphurization, aiming to address the energy consumption and equipment maintenance issues of traditional desulphurization processes. The system achieved a CO2 emissions reduction of 115 kg m- 2 annually, with first-law thermodynamic efficiency and solar-to-fuel efficiency reaching maximums of 72.4% and 21.0%, respectively.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shu Hikima, Martin Keller, Hiroki Matsuo, Yoshio Matsuzaki, Junichiro Otomo
Summary: By developing highly efficient carriers for hydrogen production through methane cracking and carbon dioxide activation in a chemical looping system, the Fe-doped BZY carrier (BZFY40) exhibits high activity and durability for carbon deposition and removal cycles. Surface observation, kinetic analysis, and reactions with carbon dioxide demonstrate the effectiveness of the BZFY40 carrier in maintaining stable cycle reactions and providing an efficient system design for carbon dioxide-free hydrogen generation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Yu Wang, Jianfeng Pan, Junfeng Wang, Qingbo Lu, Yangxian Liu, Evans K. Quaye
Summary: The study on micro combustors reveals the different flame regimes observed and the effects of combustor length and height variations on flame behaviors. Changes in combustor length have a significant impact on the extinction area of the flame, while alterations in combustor channel height lead to shifts in flame position and RERI flame propagation distance and frequency.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haneol Kim, Hakjoo Kim, Sungeun Kim, Sangnam Lee, Jongkyu Kim
Summary: This study investigated the decomposition of methane using solar thermal energy, achieving high conversion rates at lower temperatures through the use of specific catalysts and reactor designs.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alan Maslani, Milan Hrabovsky, Petr Krenek, Michal Hlina, Sumathy Raman, Vineet Singh Sikarwar, Michal Jeremias
Summary: The study investigates methane pyrolysis for hydrogen and solid carbon production using a plasma reactor equipped with a DC plasma torch. Optimal methane conversion rates and gas composition were achieved at specific plasma power and input methane flow rates. The presence of oxygen was found to enhance methane conversion efficiency despite lower available energy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
N. Ozalp, H. Abedini, M. Abuseada, R. Davis, J. Rutten, J. Verschoren, C. Ophoff, D. Moens
Summary: Fuel cells can directly convert the chemical energy of fuels into electricity, offering high efficiency and low emissions. Direct carbon fuel cells can utilize high-grade carbon produced from solar methane cracking for almost complete fuel utilization. This technology has great potential for clean power generation, but there are challenges regarding impurities and ash content in solid carbon fuels.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Li Guo, Ming Zhai, Qianhao Shen, Hongkun Guo, Peng Dong
Summary: This study investigates the effect of hydrogen addition on the ionization of partially premixed methane flame. It finds that hydrogen addition can promote flame ionization, but the effect weakens when the hydrogen content reaches 50% of the total fuel amount. Furthermore, the impact of hydrogen addition on ionization is influenced by the amount of primary premixed air.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Andre Bolt, Ibrahim Dincer, Martin Agelin-Chaab
Summary: New designs of helical methane/natural gas reactors are proposed in this study, which utilize the Sabatier reaction for renewable production of methane. The study develops three models with different diameters and the same volume, and suggests optimizing the reactor design by varying specific parameters. The reactor model with a diameter of 0.0381 m achieves a reactant conversion of 75% and a yield of 87%, while the model with a cross-sectional diameter of 0.0254 m demonstrates the most effective cooling at a coolant temperature of 200 degrees C.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Houssame Boujjat, Giberto Mitsuyoshi Yuki, Sylvain Rodat, Stephane Abanades
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Anita Haeussier, Stephane Abanades, Anne Julbe, Julien Jouannaux, Martin Drobek, Andre Ayral, Bruno Cartoixa
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Srirat Chuayboon, Stephane Abanades
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Srirat Chuayboon, Stephane Abanades
Summary: Solar thermochemical conversion processes show promise for storing intermittent solar energy as high value chemical products. Experimental results demonstrate that lower pressure can lead to higher ZnO conversion rates and syngas production rates.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Stephane Abanades, Sylvain Rodat, Houssame Boujjat
Summary: This paper discusses the solar thermochemical conversion of biomass or waste feedstocks through pyro-gasification for the clean production of high-value and energy-intensive fuels, aiming to reduce dependence on conventional energy resources and lower emissions of pollutants. By utilizing concentrated solar energy to drive endothermal reactions, more high-quality syngas can be produced without contamination by combustion products, while saving biomass resources. It presents relevant research studies, solar concentrating technologies, solar gasifier concepts, management strategies for solar energy variations, and modeling approaches for simulation of gasifiers to enhance the thermochemical performance of solar-assisted biomass gasification.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Houssame Boujjat, Sylvain Rodat, Stephane Abanades
Summary: The economic feasibility of large-scale solar gasification for centralized H-2 production was evaluated, with solar hybrid and solar-only gasification showing higher competitiveness than the conventional process. A sensitivity study indicated that cost reduction could enable the three processes to reach a competitive range.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Srirat Chuayboon, Stephane Abanades
Summary: Solar gasification of biomass is a promising avenue for the co-production of synthesis gas using renewable solar and biomass energy. The choice of oxidant plays a crucial role in determining gasification performance, with H2O yielding the highest total syngas production. The use of ZnO as an oxidant can lead to high-purity Zn metal production, highlighting the potential of solar-driven biomass gasification for sustainable and CO2-free energy production.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Malek Msheik, Sylvain Rodat, Stephane Abanades
Summary: Methane cracking provides a zero CO/CO2 emission hydrogen production alternative, with recent focus on using molten metals/salts to prevent rapid deactivation. This advanced technology could potentially improve sustainability through energy and heat transfer enhancements.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Srirat Chuayboon, Stephane Abanades
Summary: In this study, the solar carbo-thermal and methano-thermal reduction of MgO and ZnO were performed, demonstrating a sustainable pathway to convert concentrated solar energy into high-value metals and fuels. The reduction reactions yielded gaseous metal species which were recovered as fine and reactive metal powders. The type of carbon reducing agent and operating conditions had an impact on the conversion and product distribution.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Stephane Abanades
Summary: The solar thermochemical two-step splitting of H2O and CO2 based on metal oxide compounds is a promising pathway for clean and efficient generation of hydrogen and renewable synthetic fuels. It eliminates the need for photocatalysts or intermediate electricity production, bypassing the main limitations of the low-efficient photochemical and electrochemical routes. The oxygen exchange capacity determines the fuel production output, and redox systems based on volatile and non-volatile metal oxides are particularly attractive.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alex Le Gal, Marielle Valles, Anne Julbe, Stephane Abanades
Summary: The main challenges and obstacles to the development of hydrogen/carbon monoxide production from the splitting of water/carbon dioxide through two-step solar thermochemical cycles are related to material concerns. This study investigates a new class of metal oxides, high entropy oxides (HEOs), to improve the specific amount of fuel generated per cycle with good kinetic rates.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Malek Msheik, Sylvain Rodat, Stephane Abanades
Summary: This study focuses on solar methane pyrolysis as a clean hydrogen and carbon production process. A hybrid solar/electric reactor was designed to cope with solar resource variability. Computational fluid dynamics simulations showed that increasing heating temperature and reducing gas flow rate improved methane conversion. Experimental results validated the potential of the hybrid reactor for solar-driven methane pyrolysis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alex Le Gal, Anne Julbe, Stephane Abanades
Summary: This study investigates the generation of solar thermochemical fuel through two-step thermochemical cycles using different redox-active compounds. The materials' synthesis, characterization, and performance assessment are conducted, with a focus on their ability to split CO2 during the cycles. The effect of material morphology on reactivity is also evaluated. The study finds that NiFe2O4 foam exhibits similar CO2-splitting activity as its powder form, while Ce0.9Fe0.1O2, Ca0.5Ce0.5MnO3, Ce0.2Sr1.8MnO4, and Sm0.6Ca0.4Mn0.8Al0.2O3 are not attractive candidates. Dual-phase ceria/perovskite composites show enhanced CO2-splitting performance compared to ceria.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Stephane Abanades
Summary: Redox materials have been extensively studied for thermochemical processing applications such as solar fuel production, ammonia synthesis, thermochemical energy storage, and air separation. These materials can be processed in redox cycles to produce fuels from H2O and CO2 splitting, and for ammonia synthesis based on chemical looping cycles. They can also be used for solar thermochemical energy storage and oxygen separation from air.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Youssef Karout, Axel Curcio, Julien Eynard, Stephane Thil, Sylvain Rodat, Stephane Abanades, Valery Vuillerme, Stephane Grieu
Summary: This paper presents the modeling and dynamic control of a solar hybrid thermochemical reactor for syngas production. A thermodynamic equilibrium-based reactor model is proposed using the Cantera toolbox. A model-based predictive controller (MPC) is developed to maintain the reactor temperature and stability by adjusting mirrors or burning biomass. The MPC controller outperforms a reference controller and image-based DNI forecasts reduce error values, while an interpolation function reduces optimization time.
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)