Hydrogen Production by Photo-dissociation of Methane with UV Laser

1. Hydrogen Production by Photo-dissociation of Methane with UV Laser Petrotech-2003 Bahrain Presented by: Zain Yamani, Ph.D. Collaborators: Mohammed Ashraf Gondal, Abdul Hameed, Mohammed Dastgeer, and Abdul-Rahman Al-Arfaj KFUPM, Saudi Arabia

2. Motivation: To investigate non-conventional methods for producing hydrogen!! Try: laser induced conversion of methane!

3. Experimental Setup:

4. Two of my colleagues monitoring the laser methane conversion into hydrogen and higher hydrocarbons. (Photograph taken at KFUPM-RI-CAPS-LRS-SSJ lab)

5. Results: • Laser induced fluorescence for real time monitoring of reaction products. • Gas Chromatography for Stable Products.

6. Fig. Fluorescence spectrum due to the photo-conversion of methane in the 390 – 820 nm region due to the excitation of 355 nm. The spectral transitions due to free radicals such as CH, C2H2, CH2, H and H2 are identified on the spectrum along with the Stimulated Raman (Stokes shifted) Scattered lines

7. LIF spectra for methane irradiated with laser. The peak at 6562 Å indicates the production of atomic hydrogen.

8. Photograph of the reaction chamber showing the red color indicating the strong H line emission due to atomic hydrogen generated as a result of photo dissociation of methane using 355 nm laser.

9. Fig . Chromatogram recorded for the standard methane sample without laser exposure.

10. Fig. Chromatogram of the photo-dissociated methane with 355 nm lasers. Various species generated by conversion of methane under the influence of laser are indicated.

11. Hydrogen yield (mole %) plotted versus the laser exposure time. [200 mJ/pulse, 1 atm.]

12. Hydrogen yield (mole %) plotted versus the methane feed pressure. [100 mJ/pulse, 60 minutes]

13. Hydrogen yield (mole %) plotted versus laser energy. [1 atm. 60 minutes exposure time of ]

14. Conclusions: A new and alternative approach for direct conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbons andhydrogen with ‘efficiency’, selectivity and at mild operating conditions. Further work should concentrate on bulk quantity production and effect of catalysts.

15. In View of the limited duration of the project (18 months), the achieved results, the work performed, the whole organization and the management of the project, the inclusion and use of equipment of other institutes, etc, is remarkable and certainly deserves recognition. (Concluding Remarks By External Reviewer)