Catalytic Decomposition of Methane and Ethylene into the Carbon and Hydrogen

The role of nickel as catalyst on the conversion of methane and ethylene in a gas phase flow reactor in the absence of oxygen is studied. In this study, nickel in its different forms is used as catalyst. The role of pressure, flow rate, and temperature on the conversion of feed gases is investigated. The experiments have been carried out in the presence and absence of the catalysts to measure the efficiency of the catalyst activity towards the conversion of the feed gases. Major products have been found to be carbon as soot or coke and hydrogen when methane is used as feed gas. Up to 97% conversion of the ethylene to methane, ethane, hydrogen, and carbon soot were achieved on the surface of the honeycomb nickel catalyst at 900 +/- 10 K and 415 +/- 5 Torr pressure, while the conversion of methane to hydrogen and carbon on the surface of NiO/SiO2 catalyst was found to be up to 36% at 930 +/- 10 K and 490 +/- 5 Torr pressure with no sign of C-2 or C-3 formation. The carbon buildup on the surface of the prepared catalysts is also investigated.