초록 ▼

Diatomic hydrogen and unsaturated hydrocarbons are produced as reactor gases in a fast quench reactor. During the fast quench, the unsaturated hydrocarbons are further decomposed by reheating the reactor gases. More diatomic hydrogen is produced, along with elemental carbon. Other gas may be added a

Diatomic hydrogen and unsaturated hydrocarbons are produced as reactor gases in a fast quench reactor. During the fast quench, the unsaturated hydrocarbons are further decomposed by reheating the reactor gases. More diatomic hydrogen is produced, along with elemental carbon. Other gas may be added at different stages in the process to form a desired end product and prevent back reactions. The product is a substantially clean-burning hydrogen fuel that leaves no greenhouse gas emissions, and elemental carbon that may be used in powder form as a commodity for several processes.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of converting one or more hydrocarbon reactants to an end product in the form of a diatomic hydrogen gas or ultrafine solid particles, comprising: introducing a hydrocarbon reactant stream at one end of an axial reactor; heating the hydrocarbon reactant stream as the hydrocarbon reactan

1. A method of converting one or more hydrocarbon reactants to an end product in the form of a diatomic hydrogen gas or ultrafine solid particles, comprising: introducing a hydrocarbon reactant stream at one end of an axial reactor; heating the hydrocarbon reactant stream as the hydrocarbon reactant stream flows axially toward an outlet end of the axial reactor, wherein the axial reactor has a length and a temperature and is operated under conditions sufficient to effect heating of the hydrocarbon reactant stream to a selected reaction temperature at which at least diatomic hydrogen is available as an intermediate product stream at a location adjacent the outlet end of the axial reactor; directing the intermediate product stream through a convergent nozzle arranged at the outlet end of the axial reactor; and directing the intermediate product stream through a means for rapid gas expansion, thereby creating a recirculation of the intermediate product stream which results in a local reheating of the intermediate product stream as the intermediate product stream flows axially through the means for rapid gas expansion, wherein the reheating is sufficient to decompose a hydrocarbon in the intermediate product stream to an end product comprising at least one of diatomic hydrogen and elemental carbon.