The effect of ethanol on carbon-catalysed decomposition of methane

Because of its ecological character, the reaction of catalytic decomposition of methane (CDM) is expected to be an important future method of hydrogen generation. However, the main drawback of this technology is a relatively fast deactivation of the catalyst used, as a consequence of its pores blocking by the low-active methane-originated carbon deposit. This paper reports on an attempt of restricting the catalyst deactivation by introducing into the reaction system ethyl alcohol capable of forming in situ a potentially active in this reaction carbonaceous deposit. The catalyst used was activated carbon obtained from the waste material (hazelnut shells). The reactions of methane and ethanol decomposition were performed by the alternate method (for certain time methane was introduced into the reactor, and then it was replaced by ethanol). Three temperatures of the reactions were applied (750, 850 or 950 °C) and another variable was the duration of the ethanol decomposition. As follows from the results, an addition of ethanol has diverse effect on the catalytic activity of activated carbon and the amount of hydrogen formed depends on the temperatures of methane and ethanol decompositions and on the time of the reagent dosing.

► The ethanol-assisted decomposition of methane has been investigated.
► Activated carbon prepared from hazelnut shells was used as a catalyst.
► Yield of hydrogen depends on the temperatures of methane and ethanol decompositions.
► The duration of ethanol dosing also affects the catalyst activity.