Hydrogen production by methane pyrolysis in molten binary copper alloys

The utilization of hydrogen as an energy carrier and reduction agent in important industrial sectors is considered a key parameter on the way to a sustainable future. Steam reforming of methane is currently the most industrially used process to produce hydrogen. One major drawback of this method is the simultaneous generation of carbon dioxide. Methane py-rolysis represents a viable alternative as the basic reaction produces no CO2 but solid carbon besides hydrogen. The aim of this study is the investigation of different molten copper alloys regarding their efficiency as catalytic media for the pyrolysis of methane in an inductively heated bubble column reactor. The conducted experiments demonstrate a strong influence of the catalyst in use on the one hand on the conversion rate of methane and on the other hand on the properties of the produced carbon. Optimization of these parameters is of crucial importance to achieve the economic competitiveness of the process.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/).

Automated summary

The utilization of hydrogen as an energy carrier and reduction agent is crucial for a sustainable future, and steam reforming of methane is the primary method for hydrogen production. However, it generates carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Methane pyrolysis offers a carbon dioxide-free alternative, producing solid carbon along with hydrogen. This study investigates different molten copper alloys as catalytic media for methane pyrolysis, demonstrating their influence on methane conversion rate and carbon properties. Optimizing these parameters is essential for achieving economic competitiveness.