Cambridge reactor shows 99% gas recycling can deliver hydrogen fuel

Researchers at Cambridge University have developed a breakthrough methane pyrolysis reactor that simultaneously produces high-quality carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and clean hydrogen fuel without emitting carbon dioxide. By operating the reactor at 2372°F (1300°C) and employing a multi-pass system that recycles 99% of the methane gas, the team significantly improved efficiency compared to traditional single-pass floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD) methods. This approach enhances carbon nanotube production by over eightfold and achieves a 446-fold increase in molar process efficiency, meaning the system uses gas molecules far more effectively. The multi-pass reactor loops methane gas through the pyrolysis process multiple times until nearly all methane is converted into CNTs and hydrogen in a 3:1 ratio, eliminating the need for additional hydrogen input and reducing waste. The researchers also demonstrated the reactor’s ability to process a methane and carbon dioxide mixture, simulating biogas plant output, indicating potential for sustainable fuel and material production. These findings, published