Catalytic Bubble Column Reactors with Simultaneous C-H Bond Activation, C-O Bond Activation, Solid Carbon Co-Production, and Carbon Separation

Production of hydrogen via methane pyrolysis has gained interest in recent years as new reactor concepts have been reported. Bubble column reactors allow for continuous separation of carbon co-product. Recently, we have reported catalytic melts that simultaneously active C-H bonds and the C-O bonds in CO₂^1,2. The resulting products are syngas and solid carbon. We have tested over 50 metals and metal alloys, and activity trends for some of them will be discussed. Indium and indium alloys activate CO₂ at the highest rate, and Sn-In alloys balance C-O and C-H bond activation most effectively. Technoeconomic considerations will also be discussed based on our recent work^3,4.

¹ Cai, Zong, Smith, and Upham, Chemical Communications, Issue 52, 2023

² Palmer, Upham, Smart, Gordon, Metiu, and McFarland, Nature Catalysis, 3 (1), 2020

³ Zong, Cai, Tabbara, and Upham, Energy Conversion and Management, 277, 2023

⁴ Zong, Koers, Cai, and Upham, in review, 2023