Technology
What is it?
In the absence of oxygen, methane is decomposed into hydrogen and elemental carbon at high temperatures, usually in the presence of a catalyst.
Why is it important?
Utilises natural gas to produce low-CO2 hydrogen without the need for CCS whilst also producing a marketable by-product, elemental carbon powder.
Characteristics
- Inputs: Natural gas (methane) and heat
- By-products: High purity carbon (dependent on catalyst type)
- Operating temperature: >500°C
- Energy efficiency: Theoretically achievable value at commercial scale estimated at ~55%
- The estimated median life cycle emissions of methane pyrolysis are 6.1kg CO2e/kg H2. This is lower than steam methane reforming and coal gasification estimates, but higher than electrolysis and biomass gasification methods
Benefits
- High purity carbon powder is produced as a by-product - these can include carbon black used in tyres and inks; activated carbon used in water purification and more exotic forms like graphene and nanotubes for use in electronics and composite.
- Hydrogen gas easily separated from carbon powder
- Zero-to-low CO2 emissions if making use of heat from renewable or waste sources
- No water required
Limitations
- During the extraction, processing and use of natural gas, methane can escape to the atmosphere
RD&D priorities
- Overcoming carbon deposition leading to clogging of reactor
- Demonstration at larger scale under industrially relevant reactor conditions
- Catalyst development
- Integrate renewable energy sources. For example, concentrated solar power can act as a thermal energy source for the process
Known active organisations
- CSIRO
- The Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre
- The University of Adelaide
- The University of Newcastle
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Western Australia