Methods for production of carbon and hydrogen from natural gas and other hydrocarbons

Abstract

A method for producing elemental carbon and hydrogen gas directly from a hydrocarbon (for example, natural gas or methane) using a chemical reaction or series of reactions. In an aspect, other materials involved such as, for example, elemental magnesium, remain unchanged and function as a catalyst.

1 . A method of producing elemental carbon and hydrogen, comprising:
 reacting at least one molten metal with at least one hydrocarbon at a temperature sufficient to melt the metal, wherein said reaction produces elemental carbon and hydrogen.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon is a gas at 25° C. and 760 torr. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon is a liquid or a solid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon is methane. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is in a range selected from the group consisting of from about 600° C. to about 950° C., from about 600° C. to about 900° C., from about 650° C. to about 950° C., from about 650° C. to about 900° C., from about 700° C. to about 950° C., from about 700° C. to about 900° C., from about 650° C. to about 1,000° C., from about 700° C. to about 1,000° C. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature range is about 600° C. to about 950° C. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature range is about 650° C. to about 900° C. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature range is about 650° C. to about 1,000° C. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction takes place in a single vessel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction is carried out with a metal halide also present. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction is carried out under continuous conditions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of isolating the carbon. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molten metal is magnesium, zinc, or lithium. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molten metal is magnesium. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction occurs via a carbide intermediate. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction occurs via a sesquacarbide intermediate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is 10° C. to 250° C. above the melting point of the at least one molten metal. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is 10° C. to 100° C. above the melting point of the at least one molten metal.