Abstract

This invention relates to a novel process for sustainable CO.sub.2 -free production of hydrogen and carbon by thermocatalytic decomposition (or dissociation, pyrolysis, cracking) of hydrocarbon fuels over carbon-based catalysts in the absence of air and/or water. The process is applicable to any hydrocarbon fuel, including sulfurous fuels. Combination of a catalytic reactor with a gas separation unit allows to produce high purity hydrogen (at least, 99.0 v %) completely free of carbon oxides. In a preferred embodiment, sustainable continuous production of hydrogen and carbon is achieved by both internal and external activation of carbon catalysts. Internal activation of carbon catalyst is accomplished by recycling of hydrogen-depleted gas containing unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons back to the reactor. External activation can be achieved via surface gasification of carbon catalysts by hot combustion gases during catalyst heating. The process can conveniently be integrated with any

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 6,670,058

Application Serial Number

09/824,437

Issue Date

12-30-2003

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)

Department

FSEC

Allowance Date

1-2-2004

Filing Date

4-2-2001

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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