Hydrogen production via decomposition of methane over activated carbons as catalysts: Full factorial design

The thermo-catalytic decomposition of methane is proposed as an alternative for producing hydrogen without CO2 emissions. The present study was divided into three parts. First, a screening study of the rate of methane decomposition ( R CH 4 ) was performed using two types of activated carbons as catalysts with progressive time of methane decomposition at four different temperatures. The catalysts differed in textural properties. A full factorial design consisting of 20 experimental points for each catalyst was applied in the second part. Quadratic R CH 4 models as functions of the relative time of catalyst deactivation and decomposition temperature were developed by regression analysis of variance. The results of the R CH 4 models showed that the relative time had twice as much influence as temperature. Finally, a general R CH 4 model was then developed representing both catalysts regardless of their textural properties. All the empirical models were consistent with experimental results and were adequate for designing the methane decomposition process.