Kværner process

Description

The endothermic reaction separates (i.e. decomposes) hydrocarbons into carbon and hydrogen in a plasma burner at around 1600 °C. The resulting components, carbon particles and hydrogen, are present as a mixture in form of an aerosol.

:C_\mathit{n}H_\mathit{m} - {\mathit{n}C} + \frac{\mathit{m}}{2} H2

In comparison to other reformation methods such as steam reforming and partial oxidation that have carbon dioxide as a by-product, there is no by-product in the Kværner process. The natural gas is efficiently and completely transformed into pure carbon and hydrogen and does not release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. After separating the mixture, the carbon particles can be used for instance as activated carbon, graphite or industrial soot, special kinds of carbon such as carbon discs and carbon cones (see SEM image). The carbon is obtained as black powdery solid matter and forms a technical product which may be used e.g. as filler in the rubber industry, as pigment soot for inks and paints or as raw material for electrical components. The hydrogen may be discharged for the chemical industry or may be used for generating electricity.

Of the available energy of the feed, approximately 48% is contained in the hydrogen, 40% is contained in activated carbon and 10% in superheated steam.

Plasma variation

A variation of this process using plasma arc waste disposal was presented in 2009. Methane and natural gas is converted to hydrogen, heat and carbon using a plasma converter.

References

References

1. "Bellona Report 6:02, "Hydrogen - Status and possibilities" Hydrogen technologies". Bellona Foundation.
2. (29 December 2009). "Carbon nanocones: wall structure and morphology". Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.
3. Kuehl, Olaf. (July 2025). "US 9,309,125 B2 - PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING SYNTHESIS GAS - Caphenia / CCP Technology Description [0048]". European Patent Office EPO}}{{Dead link.
4. Kuehl, Olaf. (July 2025). "US 10166521 B2 - Process and system for conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon monixide - Caphenia / CCP Technology - Description". European Patent Office EPO}}{{Dead link.
5. [https://www.hfpeurope.org/infotools/energyinfos__e/hydrogen/main03.html hfpeurope.org]{{dead link. (March 2014)
6. (12 October 2009). "Hydrogen Breakthrough for Norwegian company".