Title: Thermocatalytic process for CO.sub.2-free production of hydrogen and carbon from hydrocarbons

Abstract

A novel process and apparatus are disclosed for sustainable CO.sub.2-free production of hydrogen and carbon by thermocatalytic decomposition (dissociation, pyrolysis, cracking) of hydrocarbon fuels over carbon-based catalysts in the absence of air and/or water. The apparatus and thermocatalytic process improve the activity and stability of carbon catalysts during the thermocatalytic process and produce both high purity hydrogen (at least, 99.0 volume %) and carbon, from any hydrocarbon fuel, including sulfurous fuels. In a preferred embodiment, production of hydrogen and carbon is achieved by both internal and external activation of carbon catalysts. Internal activation of carbon catalyst is accomplished by recycling of hydrogen-depleted gas containing unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons back to the reactor. External activation of the catalyst can be achieved via surface gasification with hot combustion gases during catalyst heating. The process and apparatus can be conveniently integrated with any type of fuel cell to generate electricity.

Inventors:

Muradov, Nazim Z ^[1]

---

+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Melbourne, FL

Issue Date:

Tue Aug 23 00:00:00 EDT 2011

Research Org.:

University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc. (Orlando, FL)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1024116

Patent Number(s):

8002854

Application Number:

11/648,453

Assignee:

University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc. (Orlando, FL)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

Show more

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01J - CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY

B01J19/2475 - {Membrane reactors}
B01J21/18 - Carbon
B01J2208/00176 - outside the reactor
B01J2208/00256 - in a heat exchanger for the heat exchange medium separate from the reactor
B01J2208/00274 - involving reactant vapours
B01J2219/00006 - Large-scale industrial plants
B01J8/0055 - {using cyclones}
B01J8/24 - according to "fluidised-bed" technique
B01J8/26 - with two or more fluidised beds, e.g. reactor and regeneration installations
B01J8/28 - the one above the other
B01J8/388 - {externally, i.e. the particles leaving the vessel and subsequently re-entering it}

C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS

C01B2203/0277 - containing a catalytic decomposition step
C01B2203/04 - containing a purification step for the hydrogen or the synthesis gas
C01B2203/0405 - Purification by membrane separation
C01B2203/0415 - Purification by absorption in liquids
C01B2203/047 - the impurity being carbon monoxide
C01B2203/0475 - the impurity being carbon dioxide
C01B2203/048 - the impurity being an organic compound
C01B2203/066 - with fuel cells
C01B2203/0811 - by combustion of fuel
C01B2203/0827 - at least part of the fuel being a recycle stream
C01B2203/10 - Catalysts for performing the hydrogen forming reactions
C01B2203/1041 - Composition of the catalyst
C01B2203/1241 - Natural gas or methane
C01B2203/1247 - Higher hydrocarbons
C01B2203/148 - involving a recycle stream to the feed of the process for making hydrogen or synthesis gas
C01B3/26 - using catalysts
C01B3/28 - using moving solid particles
C01B3/30 - using the fluidised bed technique
C01B3/50 - Separation of hydrogen or hydrogen containing gases from gaseous mixtures, e.g. purification
C01B3/501 - {by diffusion}
C01B3/506 - {at low temperatures}
C01B3/52 - by contacting with liquids
C01B3/56 - by contacting with solids
C01B32/05 - Preparation or purification of carbon not covered by groups C01B32/15, C01B32/20, C01B32/25, C01B32/30

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

H01M2008/1095 - {Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes}
H01M8/0612 - from carbon-containing material
H01M8/0618 - {Reforming processes, e.g. autothermal, partial oxidation or steam reforming}
H01M8/0631 - {Reactor construction specially adapted for combination reactor/fuel cell

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E60/50 - Fuel cells

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P20/584 - of catalysts

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

FC36-99GO10456

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY