Hydrogen Production from Methane Decomposition Using Nano Metal Oxides

Abstract

Nanotechnology is like an umbrella, under this maximum all the fields, branches are developing, like a green-house effect for plant. Nanotechnology can provide new concepts for the energy department which can utilise and provide new sources for all energy challenges, like generation, renewable and storage with less energy consumption, that provide an economy to the development to country. This can be achieved with the help of hydrogen for energy application; thermo catalytic decomposition of methane is a simple process to produces carbon free hydrogen. Mono metallic NiO, Co3O4, ZrO2 and ZnO catalyst were synthesised by a solution combustion process. The methane decomposition and catalyst activity test is done at fixed bed reactor with a methane flow rate of 54 SCCM with an operation condition of 850°C temperature under atmospheric pressure respectively. The catalyst is characterised by BET, XRD and PSA. The complete observation and catalyst performance shows that catalyst activity is high at the initial time of reaction and decreases with deposition (time) of carbon over the catalyst. As resultant the methane decomposition showed activity nearly 3h for all the catalyst. Comparison study shows that hydrogen yield and deposited carbon occurs (catalyst activity) is completely based on particle size, Surface area and Pore volume of material used.