Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan, Vol.41, No.2, 57-61, 2008
Hydrogen production from methanol or methane by the use of thermally generated holes in TiO2
Previously involved in complete decomposition (H2O + CO2) of organic wastes (mainly thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers), as well as exhaust of diesel engines by the use of thermally generated holes in TiO2 at about 350-500 degrees C under sufficient O-2. Then, we struck on an idea that H-2 can be produced in place of H2O under O-2-deficient conditions. Because of this, an attempt has been made in the present investigation to produce hydrogen from methanol or methane. Hydrogen is found to be successfully produced from methanol at 350-400 degrees C under 5-20% O-2, or from methane at 450-500 degrees C under 50% O-2. The conversion efficiency amounts to about 70-85% for methanol while about 40% for methane.