Decomposition and regeneration of methane by hydrogen absorbing alloys

CaNi5, a hydrogen absorbing alloy, has been applied for the complete decomposition and regeneration of methane. The complete decomposition of methane was realized at 773 similar to 873K over CaNi5, when the amount of methane introduced had been less than 800 mu mol.g-CaNi5-1. The complete recovery of methane was observed by adding excess hydrogen at 773K if the amount of carbon deposit had been controlled less than 100 mu mol.g-CaNi5-1.