Hydrogen Production by Thermocatalytic Decomposition of Methane: Modern Achievements (A Review)

The steadily growing demand for hydrogen, a valuable feedstock for industry and a promising environmentally clean energy carrier, requires expansion of the available industrial facilities and search for new energy-efficient and environmentally safe procedures for hydrogen production. This paper is a review of modern achievements in the field of thermocatalytic decomposition of methane. Recently this hydrogen production route underwent active development because of its environmental advantages compared to other routes (steam conversion, coal gasification, water electrolysis, etc.). Data on modern catalysts used for thermocatalytic decomposition of methane are presented. The effect of the active component, support, promoter, and catalyst structure and preparation procedure on the catalyst performance in methane pyrolysis is considered. Problems associated with the catalyst deactivation and regeneration and ways to solve them are discussed. The possibility of using carbon materials as methane pyrolysis catalysts is analyzed.