PYROLYSIS

“Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere. It involves a change of chemical composition. The word is coined from the Greek-derived elements pyro (‘fire’) and lysis (‘separating’). Pyrolysis is most commonly used in the treatment of organic materials.” — Wikipedia

The making of charcoal is an ancient art, so humans have known about low‑oxygen combustion for hundreds of years. But this method of creating a higher‑grade fuel produces a great deal of greenhouse gases (GHGs).

More recently, scientists began looking for a low‑cost method of combusting carbon‑based fuel that is effectively CO₂‑free. Much of what is being done today is built on the pioneering work of Meyer Steinberg and Nazim Muradov.

Combining oxygen (O₂) with a carbon‑based fuel in the presence of heat creates fire. The fire releases masses of heat and many by‑products, including carbon dioxide (CO₂).

One of the most common carbon fuels that we use is methane (natural gas). It is a molecule comprised of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH₄).

There are some intermediate steps, but essentially the formula for burning methane is:

CH₄ + 2 O₂ → CO₂ + 2 H₂O + ENERGY

It produces LOTS of CO₂.

But there is a method of using methane without oxygen. It is called pyrolysis. The process produces lots of potential energy but no CO₂ because there is no oxygen with which the carbon can combine to create CO₂. (Note: if there were any O₂ impurity in the inputs, then there would be corresponding CO₂ by-product.)

The formula is:

ENERGY + CH₄ → C + 2 H₂

H₂ is hydrogen gas. It produces LOTS of energy. It burns at close to 2,000 degrees Celsius, and it burns without producing CO₂. In fact, the by-product is pure water (H₂O):

2 H₂ + O₂ → 2 H₂O + ENERGY

In addition to being used as a fuel, hydrogen is used in fertilizer production and many other processes. In other words, it helps feed the world and keep us warm or cool.

C, the carbon that comes out of the pyrolysis process, is used as carbon black and graphite for steel production, rubber manufacturing, ink products, and other industrial uses.

What is not to love about methane pyrolysis? It produces an abundance of hydrogen for clean energy and carbon, which is used in vital manufacturing production.

To continue and learn about commercial‑scale pyrolysis systems, click here.