A theoretical and experimental study on hydrodynamics, heat exchange and diffusion during methane pyrolysis in a layer of molten tin

A theoretical and experimental study was performed on the heat exchange, hydrodynamics and diffusion during the transition of methane through a layer of tin melt with the aim of intensifying the pyrolysis process in a reactor filled with metal melt. Analysis of the experiment data shows that, as the methane supply rate increases from 25 to 250 ml/min, the duration of the contact between the gas bubbles and tin melt shortens, which leads to a decrease in the mole fraction of hydrogen in the resulting gas from 12% to 4.4% (for a reactor 10 cm in height). Using a cascade of mesh diaphragms is suggested to intensify the pyrolysis process for high methane supply rates. A unique float-type structure may be placed inside the reactor to solve the problem of continuous removal of the hard carbon deposits generated during methane pyrolysis and to control the metal melt level. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.