Hydrogen production by the thermocatalytic decomposition of methane in a fluidized bed reactor

CO2-free production of hydrogen via thermocatalytic decomposition of methane in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) was studied. The technical approach is based on a single-step decomposition of methane over carbon catalyst in air/water vapor free environment. The factors affecting Fe catalyst (Iron powder activity in methane decomposition reactions were examined. Carbon species produced in the process were characterized by SEM methods. The fluidization quality in a gas-fluidized bed of Fe (Iron powder) and Fe/Al2O3 catalyst was determined by the analysis of pressure fluctuation properties, and the results were confirmed with characteristics of methane decomposition. The effect of parameters on the H2 yield was examined. Fibrous carbon formed over Fe catalyst surface. The hydrogen yield increased with increasing reactor temperature, and decreased with increasing superficial velocity of methane inlet stream. The conversion rate of methane is maintained by attrition of produced carbon on Fe catalyst surface in a FBR.