PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN FROM METHANE AND METHANE STEAM IN A MICROWAVE IRRADIATED CHAR-LOADED REACTOR/

The production of hydrogen by the decomposition of pure methane and me thane/steam mixtures in a microwave-irradiated fixed bed reactor packe d with devolatilized coal char was studied. Input power levels from 60 0-3500 W were used. Low conversions were obtained for pure methane as the feed, but 1:1 molar ratio mixtures of methane and steam gave high conversions. The effects of power level and feed flow rate were determ ined for the methane/steam case. Additionally, microwave heating and c onventional heating were compared for the methane/steam case. Microwav e heating was found to require temperatures 30-50 degrees C lower to g ive the same methane conversions obtained with conventional heating, o ver a conversion range of 18-53%. Thus, it may be concluded that micro wave heating promotes the methane/steam reaction in some type of uniqu e manner.