EUBCE 2026 - Alessandro BLASI - Numerical Investigation of Carbon-Catalyzed Methane Splitting for CO2-Free Hydrogen Production

Numerical Investigation of Carbon-Catalyzed Methane Splitting for CO2-Free Hydrogen Production

Short Introductive summary

Hydrogen production through thermocatalytic methane decomposition (TMD) represents a promising carbon-free route, avoiding CO2 emissions associated with conventional reforming processes. However, the accurate quantification of the catalytic activity of carbonaceous particles formed in situ remains a major challenge for both process understanding and optimization. This work presents the development of a numerical methodology for processing and interpreting experimental kinetic data obtained during methane thermocatalytic cracking over carbon-based catalysts. The proposed model enables the identification and quantification of the intrinsic catalytic contribution of carbonaceous particles, which progressively evolve during the reaction through surface reconstruction, porosity modification, and metal–support interactions. The method has been validated and scaled up on a pilot-scale TMD unit, enabling direct correlation between laboratory-scale kinetics and industrially relevant operating conditions. Experimental data were integrated into a dedicated software tool, capable of simulating process behavior, heat transfer, and reaction dynamics under variable thermal regimes and reactor con

A. Campus, ENEA Research Centre, Rotondella, ITALY
A Blasi, ENEA Research Centre, Rotondella, ITALY
G. Cannataro, ENEA Research Centre, Brindisi, ITALY
R. Agostini, ENEA Research Centre, Rotondella, ITALY
A. Villone, ENEA Research Centre, Rotondella, ITALY
N. Cerone, ENEA Research Centre, Rotondella, ITALY