Patent ID: 6670058
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: B01J,C01B,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for sustainable CO2-free production of hydrogen and carbon via continuous thermocatalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons over carbon-based catalyst in air and/or water-free environment, employing continuous reactivation of the catalyst, comprising the steps of:(a) thermocatalytic decomposition of a hydrocarbon stream over a moving bed of carbon particulates in a reactor; (b) recovering a stream of hydrogen-containing gas(HCCG); (c) directing said stream to a gas separation unit (GSU) where pure hydrogen is separated from said stream and hydrogen-depleted gas (HDG), and a hydrogen-depleted stream containing unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons is formed; (d) recovering pure hydrogen; and (e) recycling said hydrogen-depleted gas to the reactor whereby the catalytically active carbon is generated on the surface of said carbon-based catalyst, wherein internal activation of the carbon catalyst occurs by recycling said hydrogen-depleted stream containing unsaturated and aromatic hydrocarbons to the reactor.