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Methane Cracking for Hydrogen Production: A Review of Catalytic and Molten Media Pyrolysis

Author

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  • Malek Msheik

    (Processes, Materials and Solar Energy Laboratory, PROMES-CNRS, 7 Rue du Four Solaire, 66120 Font Romeu, France)

  • Sylvain Rodat

    (Processes, Materials and Solar Energy Laboratory, PROMES-CNRS, 7 Rue du Four Solaire, 66120 Font Romeu, France)

  • Stéphane Abanades

    (Processes, Materials and Solar Energy Laboratory, PROMES-CNRS, 7 Rue du Four Solaire, 66120 Font Romeu, France)

Abstract

Currently, hydrogen is mainly generated by steam methane reforming, with significant CO 2 emissions, thus exacerbating the greenhouse effect. This environmental concern promotes methane cracking, which represents one of the most promising alternatives for hydrogen production with theoretical zero CO/CO 2 emissions. Methane cracking has been intensively investigated using metallic and carbonaceous catalysts. Recently, research has focused on methane pyrolysis in molten metals/salts to prevent both reactor coking and rapid catalyst deactivation frequently encountered in conventional pyrolysis. Another expected advantage is the heat transfer improvement due to the high heat capacity of molten media. Apart from the reaction itself that produces hydrogen and solid carbon, the energy source used in this endothermic process can also contribute to reducing environmental impacts. While most researchers used nonrenewable sources based on fossil fuel combustion or electrical heating, concentrated solar energy has not been thoroughly investigated, to date, for pyrolysis in molten media. However, it could be a promising innovative pathway to further improve hydrogen production sustainability from methane cracking. After recalling the basics of conventional catalytic methane cracking and the developed solar cracking reactors, this review delves into the most significant results of the state-of-the-art methane pyrolysis in melts (molten metals and salts) to show the advantages and the perspectives of this new path, as well as the carbon products’ characteristics and the main factors governing methane conversion.

Suggested Citation

  • Malek Msheik & Sylvain Rodat & Stéphane Abanades, 2021. "Methane Cracking for Hydrogen Production: A Review of Catalytic and Molten Media Pyrolysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-35, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:11:p:3107-:d:562730
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mateusz Wnukowski, 2023. "Methane Pyrolysis with the Use of Plasma: Review of Plasma Reactors and Process Products," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-34, September.
    2. Razmi, Amir Reza & Hanifi, Amir Reza & Shahbakhti, Mahdi, 2024. "Techno-economic analysis of a novel concept for the combination of methane pyrolysis in molten salt with heliostat solar field," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
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    5. Abuseada, Mostafa & Fisher, Timothy S., 2023. "Continuous solar-thermal methane pyrolysis for hydrogen and graphite production by roll-to-roll processing," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).
    6. David Neuschitzer & David Scheiblehner & Helmut Antrekowitsch & Stefan Wibner & Andreas Sprung, 2023. "Methane Pyrolysis in a Liquid Metal Bubble Column Reactor for CO 2 -Free Production of Hydrogen," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-20, October.
    7. Oleg A. Kolenchukov & Kirill A. Bashmur & Vladimir V. Bukhtoyarov & Sergei O. Kurashkin & Vadim S. Tynchenko & Elena V. Tsygankova & Roman B. Sergienko & Vladislav V. Kukartsev, 2022. "Experimental Study of Oil Non-Condensable Gas Pyrolysis in a Stirred-Tank Reactor for Catalysis of Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Containing Mixtures Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-16, November.
    8. Enas Taha Sayed & Abdul Ghani Olabi & Abdul Hai Alami & Ali Radwan & Ayman Mdallal & Ahmed Rezk & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem, 2023. "Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, February.
    9. Smoliński, Adam & Wojtacha-Rychter, Karolina & Król, Magdalena & Magdziarczyk, Małgorzata & Polański, Jarosław & Howaniec, Natalia, 2022. "Co-gasification of refuse-derived fuels and bituminous coal with oxygen/steam blend to hydrogen rich gas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
    10. Msheik, Malek & Rodat, Sylvain & Abanades, Stéphane, 2022. "Experimental comparison of solar methane pyrolysis in gas-phase and molten-tin bubbling tubular reactors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    11. Tamás I. Korányi & Miklós Németh & Andrea Beck & Anita Horváth, 2022. "Recent Advances in Methane Pyrolysis: Turquoise Hydrogen with Solid Carbon Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-14, August.
    12. Raza, Jehangeer & Khoja, Asif Hussain & Anwar, Mustafa & Saleem, Faisal & Naqvi, Salman Raza & Liaquat, Rabia & Hassan, Muhammad & Javaid, Rahat & Qazi, Umair Yaqub & Lumbers, Brock, 2022. "Methane decomposition for hydrogen production: A comprehensive review on catalyst selection and reactor systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    13. Go, Yujin & Kim, Suyoung & Chang, Ye Ji & Won, Geunhye & Kim, Sung Won, 2024. "Enhanced thermal efficiency of solar liquid tin receiver with carbon black-reinforced carbon nanotube absorber," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    14. Mirkarimi, S.M.R. & Bensaid, S. & Negro, V. & Chiaramonti, D., 2023. "Review of methane cracking over carbon-based catalyst for energy and fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    15. Mattia Boscherini & Alba Storione & Matteo Minelli & Francesco Miccio & Ferruccio Doghieri, 2023. "New Perspectives on Catalytic Hydrogen Production by the Reforming, Partial Oxidation and Decomposition of Methane and Biogas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-33, September.
    16. Eugenio Meloni, 2022. "Electrification of Chemical Engineering: A New Way to Intensify Chemical Processes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-3, July.
    17. Wenxiong Xi & Mengyao Xu & Kai Ma & Jian Liu, 2022. "Heat Transfer Enhancement Methods Applied in Energy Conversion, Storage and Propulsion Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-3, October.
    18. Gayatri Udaysinh Ingale & Hyun-Min Kwon & Soohwa Jeong & Dongho Park & Whidong Kim & Byeingryeol Bang & Young-Il Lim & Sung Won Kim & Youn-Bae Kang & Jungsoo Mun & Sunwoo Jun & Uendo Lee, 2022. "Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Hydrogen Production Processes: Turquoise Hydrogen vs. Steam Methane Reforming," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-20, November.

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