Effect of the resistive heating of the FeCrAl alloy catalyst on amount and morphology of the carbon deposits

Abstract

The influence of electric current type used to heat the fechral alloy wire catalyst (direct current, alternating current) and the application of an external electromagnetic field on the amount and morphology of carbon deposits formed on the catalyst surface during methane decomposition is studied. It is shown that carbon deposits obtained on the catalyst surface during its resistive heating by alternating and direct current have a similar morphology and are fibrous formations of about 100 µm in length and 2-4 µm in diameter. However, the yield of carbon is much higher when the catalyst is heated by alternating current. The imposition of an external electromagnetic field leads not only to an additional increase in yield, but also to a change in the morphology of carbon deposits, to the formation of fibers with branched structure.