Conversion of Methane to Hydrogen and Synthesis Gas Using Bimetalic Oxygen Carriers

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) have developed a novel method for the production of hydrogen (H2 l and synthesis gas (syngas). The process utilizes the chemical looping combustion (CLC) of methane to produce the heat necessary for either methane decomposition to produce pure H2 or methane reforming to produce syngas. A CuO-Fe2 03 mixed oxide is used both as an oxygen carrier in the CLC process and as a catalyst (in its reduced state) to produce pure H2 or synthesis gas via methane decomposition/reforming. This technology is available for licensing and/or further collaborative research.