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Microwave-enhanced methane cracking for clean hydrogen production in shale rocks

Yan, Keju·Jie, Xiangyu·Li, Xiaoqiang·Horita, Juske·Stephens, Jacob·Hu, Jianli·Yuan, Qingwang
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Abstract

Here, steam methane reforming (SMR) generates about 95% of hydrogen (H 2 ) in the U.S. using natural gas as a main feedstock. However, this technology also generates a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), a major greenhouse gas causing global warming. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technique is required, but the cost and safety of storing CO 2 underground are a concern. Here we propose a new approach using microwave/electromagnetic irradiation to produce clean hydrogen from unrecovered hydrocarbons within petroleum reservoirs. Solid carbon or CO 2 produced during this process will be simultaneously sequestrated underground without involving CCS. In this paper, we perform a series of experiments to investigate the in-situ hydrogen production from shale gas (methane) conversion by passing a methane stream through a packed shale rock sample heated by microwave. We found that methane conversion was significantly enhanced in the presence of Fe and Fe 3 O 4 particles as catalysts, with a conversion of 40.5% and 100% at reaction temperature of 500 °C and 600 °C, respectively. Methane conversion is promoted at a lower reaction temperature by the catalytic effect of minerals in shale. Additionally, the influences of catalysts, shale rock, and methane flow rate are characterized.

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08 HYDROGENCatalystsChemistryElectrochemistryEnergy & FuelsIn-situ hydrogen productionMethane crackingMicrowave heatingShale gas reservoirs

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Yan, Keju, Jie, Xiangyu, Li, Xiaoqiang, Horita, Juske, Stephens, Jacob, Hu, Jianli, Yuan, Qingwang. 2023-01-25. Microwave-enhanced methane cracking for clean hydrogen production in shale rocks. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.01.052

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