Effect of hydrogen addition on formation of hydrogen and carbon from methane decomposition over Ni/Al2O3

The effects of hydrogen addition on the formation of hydrogen and carbon from methane decomposition over Ni/Al2O3 were studied. The results show that the added hydrogen in methane greatly affects the methane conversion, hydrogen output rate, and the properties of the carbon deposits on the surface of the Ni/Al2O3. The methane conversion and hydrogen output rate are significantly improved by the addition of hydrogen. As the flowrate of hydrogen increases from 0 to 25 mL/min, the initial activity of Ni/Al2O3 decreases sharply, while the stability increases first and then decreases due to the suppression of hydrogen to CH4 decomposition in the thermodynamics equilibrium. When the addition flowrate of the hydrogen is 15 mL/min, that is, 37.5% of the methane flowrate, a much higher methane conversion and the best stability of Ni/Al2O3 are obtained. The addition of a specific amount of hydrogen benefits the methane decomposition; however, the excessive hydrogen will suppress the decomposition. Most of the carbon that deposits on the surface of Ni/Al2O3 is filamentous carbon when hydrogen is added to the methane, however, encapsulated carbon is mainly produced when no hydrogen is added. In addition, the formation of encapsulated carbon, which deactivates the catalyst, is inhibited by the added hydrogen.