Patent ID: 7429373

Claim:
A process for producing hydrogen in a reactor comprising: reacting at least one hydrocarbon and steam in the presence of a complex metal oxide and a steam-hydrocarbon reforming catalyst in a production step under reaction conditions sufficient to form hydrogen gas, a metal carbonate and a reduced metal oxide; and reacting the reduced metal oxide, the metal carbonate and an oxygen source gas in a regeneration step under reaction conditions sufficient to oxidize the metal oxide, release carbon dioxide, and regenerate the complex metal oxide, wherein the complex metal oxide is represented by the formula A x B y O n wherein A represents at least one metallic element having an oxidation state ranging from +1 to +3, inclusive, wherein the metallic element is capable of forming the metal carbonate; x is a number from 1 to 10, inclusive; B represents at least one metallic element having an oxidation state ranging from +1 to +7, inclusive; y is a number from 1 to 10, inclusive; and n represents a value such that the complex metal oxide is rendered electrically neutral.