Production of Hydrogen from Methane

C16-0020. Chemists are optimistic that a catalyst will be found for the production of ammonia from hydrogen and nitrogen under standard conditions. In contrast, no hope exists of developing a catalyst for the production of hydrogen from methane and steam under standard conditions. Explain. 

Otsuka, K. et al., Production of hydrogen from methane without COz-emission mediated by indium oxide and iron oxide, Int. ]. Hydrogen Energy, 26,191, 2001. 

Scheme 2 Methodologies known for industrial production of hydrogen from methane.

Production of Hydrogen from Methane with Oxide Materials and Inherent Segregation of Carbon Dioxide... 

Fig. 7.7. Flowsheet for the production of hydrogen from methane for ammonia synthesis and fuel cell applications indicating the potential for rationalization using an adsorptive reactor.

THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN FROM METHANE USING TUBULAR PLASMA REACTORS... 

The production of hydrogen from methane is important because it has a low environmental impact. The production of hydrogen via steam reforming has a H2/C02 ratio of 4 (Table 1), the lowest C02 impact of any fossil fuel source. The dc plasma system produces a H2/C02 ratio of about 1000 in the effluent stream. However, CO is a major product of the system. If the water-gas shift reaction were used to convert all of the produced CO into C02 via reaction [5], the resulting H2/C02 ratio would be approximately 9 for either system. This value is still considerably better than that of other fossil fuels, including steam reforming. 

The production of hydrogen from methane over zeolite supported metal catalysts can be examined as an alternative to steam reforming because the concomitant aromatization reactions can increase the economic potential of the process. For methane aromatization, Mo/ZSM5 catalysts have been intensively studied since their first report in 1993 (/, 2). In 1997 (3), the promotional effect of ruthenium over Mo/ZSM5 catalysts was reported. Other second metals have also been studied to improve catalyst activity and stability and a review on this topic is available 4). 

As a consequence, SMR is a very expensive process (in a methanol synthesis plant, the cost of the reformer is about 60% of the total cost), and only the current price of natural gas, with an uncertain future, can compensate for the overall energy demand of the process. In this context, new processes for the production of hydrogen from methane, at lower energy costs, are needed, and the Partial Oxidation of Methane (POM) is an attractive alternative ... 

The formation of methane from mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide with the simultaneous liberation of water or carbon dioxide represents the reversal of the reactions which occur during the production of hydrogen from methane by acting on it with water or carbon dioxide. Since the reactions occur in either direction they are reversible and an equilibrium state may exist at any temperature. The free energy change for these reactions... 

Mundschau, M. V, Xie, X, Evenson IV, C. R, SammeUs, A. F. Dense inoiganic membranes for production of hydrogen from methane and coal with carbon dioxide sequestration. Catal Today. 2006 118 12-23. 

Mundschau, M., Xie, X., Evenson IV, C., et al (2006). Dense Inorganic Membranes for Production of Hydrogen from Methane and Coal with Carbon Dioxide Sequestration, Catal. Today, 118, pp. 12-23. 

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