Hi, i would like to know how hydrogen can be manufactured from methane using a nickel catalyst. What must be added to methane in the reaction?
+Ni
CH4 + ??? -----> H2 + ???
The nickle is added as a catalyst.
CH4 + H2O ==> CO + 3H2
Read about it here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_production
To manufacture hydrogen from methane using a nickel catalyst, the process you are referring to is known as methane reforming or steam reforming. This is a widely used method to produce hydrogen gas from natural gas, which primarily consists of methane.
In the reaction, methane (CH4) is reacted with steam (H2O), and the nickel catalyst (Ni) is used to facilitate the reaction. The reaction equation is as follows:
CH4 + H2O ------> CO + 3H2
The methane molecule reacts with steam to produce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen gas (H2) as the main products.
This reaction is typically carried out at high temperatures, usually around 700-1100 degrees Celsius, and moderate pressures. The high temperature helps to break down the bonds in methane and water, while the nickel catalyst aids in promoting the reaction.
The reaction is endothermic, meaning it requires heat to proceed. The heat required for the reaction can be supplied by burning a portion of the produced hydrogen gas, making the process self-sustaining.
It's worth noting that the resulting CO can be further reacted through a process called the water-gas shift reaction to produce more hydrogen gas:
CO + H2O ------> CO2 + H2
This reaction converts carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide (CO2) and additional hydrogen gas, increasing the overall yield of hydrogen.
Overall, methane reforming with a nickel catalyst is a commonly used method for hydrogen production due to the abundance of methane as a feedstock and the efficiency of the reaction.