Ni- and Fe-based catalysts for hydrogen and carbon nanofilament production by catalytic decomposition of methane in a rotary bed reactor

• Published in: Fuel processing technology Vol. 92; no. 8; pp. 1480 - 1488
• Main Authors: Pinilla, J.L., Utrilla, R., Lázaro, M.J., Moliner, R., Suelves, I., García, A.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-08-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; aluminum oxide; Applied sciences; carbon; carbon nanotubes; Catalysts; Catalytic decomposition of methane; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Hydrogen; hydrogen production; iron; magnesium oxide; methane; nanofibers; Nanofibres; Nanotubes; nickel; Rotary bed reactor; yields; Nanofibres; Rotary bed reactor; Catalysts; Hydrogen; Catalytic decomposition of methane; Nanotubes; Methane; Filament; Carbon dioxide; Carbon nanotubes; Decomposition; Iron; Nanostructure; Molybdenum; Nickel; Catalyst; Hydrogen production
• ISSN: 0378-3820; 1873-7188
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2011.03.009

Four catalysts, consisting of Ni, Ni:Cu, Fe or Fe:Mo as the active phase and Al
2O
3 or MgO as a textural promoter, were tested for the catalytic decomposition of methane in a rotary bed reactor, obtaining both CO
2-free hydrogen and carbon nanostructures in a single step. Hydrogen yields of up to 14.4
Ndm
3 H
2·(h·g
cat)
−
1
were obtained using the Ni-based catalysts, and methane conversions above 80% were observed with the Fe-based catalysts. In addition to hydrogen production, the Ni-based catalysts allowed the large-scale production of fishbone-like carbon nanofibres, whereas the use of the Fe-based catalysts promoted the production of carbonaceous filaments having a high degree of structural order, consisting of both chain-like carbon nanofibres and carbon nanotubes.
► Simultaneous production of CO
2-free hydrogen and carbon nanostructures. ► Rotary bed reactor allowing high methane conversions. ► Large scale production of high added value CNFs and MWCNTs.