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1664725 
Journal Article 
Semi-continuous hydrogen production from catalytic methane decomposition using a fluidized-bed reactor 
Shah, N; Ma, S; Wang, Y; Huffman, GP 
2007 
Yes 
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
ISSN: 0360-3199 
Elsevier 
32 
15 
3315-3319 
WOS:000250900700030 
Non-oxidative, catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons is an alternative, one-step process to produce pure hydrogen with no production of carbon oxides or higher hydrocarbons. Carbon produced from the decomposition reaction, in the form of potentially valuable carbon nanotubes, remains anchored to the active catalyst sites in a fixed bed. To facilitate periodical removal of this carbon from the reactor and to make hydrogen production continuous, a fluidized-bed reactor was envisioned. The hypothesis that the tumbling and inter-particle collisions of bed material would efficiently separate nanotubes anchored to the active catalyst sites of the bed particles was tested and shown to be invalid. However, a switching mode reaction system for the semi-continuous production of hydrogen and carbon nanotubes by periodic removal and replenishment of the catalytic bed material has been successfully demonstrated. (C) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
hydrogen production; non-oxidative; catalytic; methane decomposition; carbon nanotubes; switching mode; fluidized-bed reactor