System and method for pyrolysis using a liquid metal catalyst
AssigneePalo Alto Research Center Incorporated
InventorsDivyaraj Desai, Jessica Louis Baker Rivest
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for decomposing a hydrocarbon-containing composition includes feeding the hydrocarbon-containing composition to a reactor containing a catalytically active molten metal or a catalytically active molten metal alloy, wherein the metal or alloy catalyzes a decomposition reaction of the hydrocarbon-containing composition into a hydrogen-rich gas phase and a solid carbon phase. The solid carbon phase is insoluble in the metal or alloy. The process may be a continuous process.
Claims20
A process for decomposing a hydrocarbon-containing composition, the process comprising:
- feeding the hydrocarbon-containing composition to a reactor containing a catalytically active molten metal or a catalytically active molten metal alloy, wherein the metal or alloy catalyzes a decomposition reaction of the hydrocarbon-containing composition into a hydrogen-rich gas phase and a solid carbon phase;
- wherein the solid carbon phase is minimally soluble in the metal or alloy.
A process for decomposing a hydrocarbon-containing composition, the process comprising:
- feeding the hydrocarbon-containing composition to a reactor containing a catalytically active molten metal or a catalytically active molten metal alloy;
- and
- controlling an interfacial tension within the reactor by maintaining a dynamic equilibrium of oxide to optimize bubble surface area;
- wherein the metal or alloy catalyzes a decomposition reaction of the hydrocarbon-containing composition into a hydrogen-rich gas phase and a solid carbon phase;
- and
- wherein the solid carbon phase is minimally soluble in the metal or alloy.
A system for decomposing a hydrocarbon, the system comprising:
- a reactor comprising
- an internal volume for holding a catalytically active molten metal or a catalytically active molten metal alloy;
- a member for delivering the hydrocarbon to the internal volume;
- and
- an outlet for recovering a hydrogen-rich gas phase;
- and
- a device for recovering a solid carbon phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.