Keynote Address. Low emissions generation of hydrogen

FUEL 152

David L. Trimm, d.trimm@unsw.edu.au, School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, University of New South Wales, The University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052 Sydney, Australia
Although conventional methods of hydrogen generation by reforming are very efficient, the processes, by their very nature, emit carbon dioxide. Two approaches to reduction of emissions in the overall process are considered – the co-generation of hydrogen and electric power and the solar powered thermochemical production of hydrogen and carbon. The first approach involves the co-generation of hydrogen and electricity through a combination of catalytic partial oxidation or reforming with a turbine. Two cases are considered – the chemical reaction preceding a turbine and partial oxidation catalyst suspended on a turbine blade. Both systems give high production of hydrogen with associated benefits of electricity generation – with an overall reduction of emissions. The second approach compares the efficiency of a range of catalytic materials for the solar powered thermocatalytic decomposition of methane. Accepting a decomposition temperature of ca 750oC as providing optimal irradiation area, a range of catalytic and non catalytic promoters has been examined. The reactions are found to have factors in common with the steam-iron process, and optimization is carried out with this in mind. A simple calculation of possible carbon production shows that the process will be of limited applicability, despite the reduction in overall emissions.