COx free hydrogen by methane decomposition over activated carbons

Catalytic characteristics of carbon catalysts for methane decomposition were examined in a fixed bed, quartz-tube continuous flow reactor. The reactions were carried out under atmospheric pressure at 800-900 degrees C. The kinetics of methane decomposition over carbon catalysts and surface changes before and after the reaction were investigated. In all the kinds of carbon catalysts tested, no discernible trend was observed between the initial activity and the surface area. Highest initial methane conversion rate of 1.27 mmols/min g-cat, and sustainability factor (R-1/R-0) of 0.40 for a high surface area carbon catalyst yielded carbon of 890 mg/g-cat at 900 degrees C. The activation energies are in the range from 170 to 175 kJ mol(-1). The physicochemical properties like surface area, pore size distribution, SEM and carbon content generated from the methane decomposition for the used and fresh catalysts are presented in this work. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.