Hydrogen production by methane pyrolysis in the microwave discharge plasma

Abstract

We present the preliminary results of experimental studies on hydrogen production through methane pyrolysis. Based on the analytical review, the technology of methane pyrolysis in the plasma of a microwave discharge was chosen. To implement this method, an installation for applied research PM-6 was developed, and experimental data on the possibility of producing hydrogen was obtained. The methods of mass spectrometry and optical emission spectrometry were used to analyze the products of the methane decomposition reaction. It has been established that at a microwave forward power of 0.6 kW, plasma pyrolysis of methane occurs with the formation of hydrogen, carbon, and hydrocarbons. Preliminary calculations of methane conversion, as a result of the conducted studies, showed a hydrogen selectivity of 4–5%. The developed installation and the applied method are under modernization at the present time.