Methane decomposition over Co thin layer supported catalysts to produce hydrogen for fuel cell

Co/Al2O3/Silica Cloth Thin Layer Catalysts (CoAS) for Catalytic Decomposition of Natural Gas (CDNG) were investigated using a new Multilayer Catalytic Reactor (MCR). The influence of Co loading and reaction temperature was evaluated. Irrespective of Co loading, initial CH4 conversion rises with T-R, while for lifetime and carbon capacity (C/Ni, number of CH4 molecules decomposed for Ni atom until complete deactivation) it is not possible to find a direct relationship with other operating parameters or catalyst characteristics. However, Co loading significantly affects the catalytic activity: Co loading as high as 20 wt.% ensures both long lifetime and high H-2 productivity. On the contrary of what occurs using Ni-based catalysts and irrespective of reaction temperature investigated, filamentous coke forms with a base reaction mechanism and Co catalyst can be regenerated in oxygen without any problem, thus allowing to realize a dual-step process for the production of COx-free hydrogen stream. (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.