Production of Pure Hydrogen from Natural Gas Thermal Cracking

Lead Proponent

University of British Columbia

Project Objectives

The objective of the project is to integrate a continuous hydrogen production system with the pilot plant and upgrade it from a stand-alone reactor system to a complete process plant, using materials that are inexpensive and abundant.

Expected Results

The project will entail a pilot plant to test UBC’s patented pyrolysis technology using molten metals for low-cost, low emission hydrogen production from natural gas. The project will focus on building a pilot plant that can produce hydrogen and carbon black in a continuous mode and will be tested on site at ATCO.

It is expected that the project will be cost-competitive with steam methane reforming, not use water, and not rely on low-cost, low-emissions electricity supply to deliver low-carbon hydrogen.

As carbon handling is often the most challenging issue with methane pyrolysis technologies, progress from this project should also benefit similar hydrogen production technologies.